Rubber Dermatitis.

Abstract

SUMMARY.— One hundred and six rubber sensitive patients are described. Seventy had developed dermatitis from specific rubber articles such as household gloves, condoms, footwear and girdles. In the remaining 36 cases dermatitis was due to contact with rubber in various different forms. A formidable number of chemical additives are used by the rubber industry and many of these are potential skin sensitizers. In the present series, however, sensitivity was attributed to a thiuram accelerator or mercaptobenz‐thiazole in all but 2 cases

Dermatitis and urticaria from rubber and plastic gloves

“…This agrees with reports from other countries, (9)(10)(11). Rubber gloves are a frequent cause of rubber eczema (3,4) and the present study showed that gloves were responsible for the majority of our cases. The positive patch tests were considered relevant and the patients granted financial compensation from insurance companies.…”

“…Glove materials, especially rubber, but also plastics can cause allergic eczema (1)(2)(3)(4). We analysed the incidence of rubber and plastic glove dermatitis at our institute over a 10-year period and tried to identify the specific allergens.…”

Contact Sensitivity to Rubber Additives in Belgium

“…[1976], rubber additives are among the most frequent causes of contact dermatitis. Hand eczema attributable to rubber glove sensitivity has been described by Bonnevie and Marcussen [1945], Sidi and Hincky [1965], Wilson [1969] and others. The use of rubber gloves as a precautionary measure to protect workers against various allergens has, on the contrary, been responsible in itself for a rather high incidence of derma titis; therefore, the worker, in avoiding one allergy, subjects himself to another.…”

“…The numerous positive reactions caused by carba mix may be of allergic or irritant origin, a problem which has been brought up by Wilson [1969] and Rudzki el at. [1976] and is now being investigated by ourselves.…”

The Problem of the Sensitization to Dithiocarbamates in Thiuram-Allergic Patients

“…However, during the manufacturing process of natural or synthetic rubber additives are used which may sensitize both manufacturer and consumer. Among these additives, some accelerators like thiurams or mercaptobenzothiazole compounds are known as strong sensitizers [1], Regarding consumers, pre vention of rubber dermatitis in housewives is possible by advising to wear PVC gloves. Surgeons or nurses with hand dermatitis caused by rubber gloves are often allergic to thiurams [2], These patients are sometimes advised to wear 'hypo-allergenic' gloves [3] which often means that thiurams have been replaced by dithiocarbamates.…”