thought this was interesting... >Pacifiers May Provoke Latex Allergy in Infants > >WESTPORT, Sep 28 (Reuters Health) - Latex sensitivity should be considered >in infants with persistent cough that is unresponsive to antitussives and >antibiotics, according to a case study presented in the September issue of >the journal Allergy. > >"Our case shows that very early latex sensitization with associated symptoms >is possible and that rubber dummies or pacifiers may provoke it," Dr. A. >Venuta and colleagues at Clinica Pediatrica in Modena, Italy, say in the >report. > >The investigators describe the case of an 11-month-old girl who presented >with persistent cough starting at age 3 months that was unresponsive to >standard treatment. In addition, she had a history "...of seborrheic >dermatitis on the scalp and diaper dermatitis." > >Skin prick tests revealed allergy to natural rubber latex but not to common >foods and allergens. And specific IgE was positive for latex but not for >foods that may cross-react with this allergen, according to the report. > >Replacing the latex pacifier with a silicon one resulted in resolution of >the cough, with no need for additional treatment. > >The Italian team suggests that the use of a latex pacifier may provoke latex >allergy in infants, but that use of a pacifier does not appear to cause >latex sensitization. The authors recommend that latex allergy be considered >in the diagnosis of "...infants with persistent cough if they use rubber >teats or pacifiers." > >Allergy 1999;54:1007.