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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will want to know your history of latex allergy signs and symptoms, and may want to conduct a physical examination to identify or exclude other medical problems.
He or she may also recommend one or both of the following tests:
- Skin test. A test in which your skin is pricked and exposed to latex can determine your reaction to latex. In this test, small amounts of latex are placed on the skin of your forearm or back. Your skin is then pricked with a needle, to allow a tiny amount of the substance beneath your skin surface. If you're allergic to a particular substance being tested, you develop a raised bump or reaction. Only specialized allergy centers are able to perform skin tests for latex allergy.
- Blood test. A blood test can measure your immune system's response to latex by assessing the amount of allergy-type antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Your blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for sensitivity to latex.
