Anaphylaxis triggered by prick test with latex extract: a case report

Leonardo Oliveira Mendonça, Cynthia Mafra Fonseca de Lima, Priscilla Rios Cordeiro Macedo, Victor do Espirito Santo Cunha, Ruppert Ludwig Hahnstadt, Jorge Kalil, Clóvis Eduardo Santos Galvão

Adverse reactions associated with prick tests are rare but may be present as serious systemic reactions. A 38-year-old female nursing technician complained of three episodes of anaphylaxis in one year, all in the workplace. To investigate latex allergy, the patient underwent the prick test with latex, and immediately developed a rash, itchy skin, hoarseness, dyspnea and dry cough. Her condition improved promptly after appropriate measures were established for controlling her anaphylaxis. The skin test must be performed under medical supervision, since complications that can lead to life-threatening reactions, if support measures are not readily implemented, have been attributed to this test.