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Latex allergy is an increasingly common condition, because the use of latex products is widespread. Three types of reactions can occur in persons using natural latex rubber products: 1) Irritant contact dermatitis, 2) Allergic contact dermatitis, 3) and Type I hypersensitivity. Children's subpopulations at particular risk include: atopics, individuals with spina bifida, or individuals who required frequent surgical instrumentations. An association between allergy to latex and allergy to various fruits and vegetables has been reported. Recently, an homology between latex allergens and mold allergens has been reported leading to postulate a possible existence of a "latex-mold syndrome". Diagnosis of allergy is based initially on history, skin prick test and search for specific serum IgE. Provocation tests may confirm the suspicion, although these are seldom performed on children because they are not easy to bear with. The most effective strategy to decrease the incidence of NRL (natural rubber latex) sensitization is avoidance; however, this is virtually impossible, given the large number of latex products we encounter since childhood. Studies of secondary prophylaxis among children demonstrate that notwithstanding recommendations, children could manifest yet adverse reactions to latex products and have detectable levels of anti latex IgE.

Background Asthma considerably impairs patients' quality of life and increases healthcare costs. Severity, morbidity, and degree of disease control are the major drivers of its clinical and economic impact. National scientific societies are required to monitor the application of international guidelines and to adopt strategies to improve disease control and better allocate resources. Aim to provide a detailed picture of the characteristics of asthma patients and modalities of asthma management by specialists in Italy and to develop recommendations for the daily management of asthma in a specialist setting. Method: A quantitative research program was implemented. Data were collected using an ad hoc questionnaire developed by a group of specialists selected by the Italian Pneumology Society/Italian Respiratory Society. Results The records of 557 patients were analyzed. In the next few years, specialists are expected to focus their activity patients with more severe disease and will be responsible for selection of patients for personalized biological therapy; however, only 20% of patients attending Italian specialist surgery can be considered severe. In 84.4% of cases, the visit was a follow-up visit requested in 82.2% of cases by the specialist him/herself. The Asthma Control Test is used only in 65% of patients. When available, a significant association has been observed between the test score and asthma control as judged by the physician, although concordance was only moderate (κ = 0.68). Asthma was considered uncontrolled by the specialist managing the case in 29.1% of patients; nevertheless, treatment was not stepped up in uncontrolled or partly controlled patients (modified in only 37.2% of patients). Conclusions The results of this survey support re-evaluation of asthma management by Italian specialists. More resources should be made available for the initial visit and for more severely ill patients. In addition, more extensive use should be made of validated tools, and available drugs should be used more appropriately.