Le cas clinique du mois. Malaise chez le dentiste: allergie au latex, un diagnostic souvent méconnu.

We report a case of urticaria with Quincke's oedema due to latex allergy appearing after dental care. The clinical manifestations of latex hypersensitivity are variable, from simple contact urticaria to generalised anaphylactic symptoms (Quincke's oedema, anaphylactic shock). Immunologically, it corresponds to an immediate-type hypersensitivity mediated by specific IgE antibodies. The diagnosis can be confirmed by skin prick-testing, determination of serum specific IgE antibodies, or realistic provocation tests. At present, latex avoidance is the only available treatment and is the key to prevent allergic reactions in latex-sensitized individuals.