[Latex allergy].

Within the last ten years, the IgE mediated type of allergy to natural rubber latex has become an increasing and clinically important problem. Health professionals, rubber industry workers and individuals with spina bifida have been found to be at special risk of latex allergy. Clinical symptoms manifest as contact urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma or even as intraoperative anaphylactic shock. An association between allergies to latex proteins and to various food-"Latex fruit syndrome "has been reported. Strict avoidance of the use of latex products is the primary preventive measure. In this review, the author pays attention to epidemiology, risk factors, clinical symptoms, diagnostics and prevention strategies.