title: Occupational contact allergy caused by rubber gloves--nothing has changed.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber gloves is not infrequent, and has almost exclusively been attributed to contact sensitization to accelerators. Thiurams have been the most frequent allergens, followed by dithiocarbamates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the current allergen pattern in patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber gloves.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a retrospective analysis of data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2002-2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 93 615 patients patch tested in the IVDK, 3448 both suffered from occupational dermatitis and were tested because of suspected glove allergy. Among these, healthcare workers were the largest group (n = 1058). Of all occupational dermatitis patients, 13% were sensitized to thiurams, 3.5% to dithiocarbamates, 3% to mercaptobenzothiazole and/or its derivatives, and 0.4% to thioureas. Positive test reactions to 1,3-diphenylguanidine were seen in 3.0%. Reaction frequencies varied with the years, but showed no uniform time trend.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As compared with a former IVDK data analysis (1995-2001), there was no change in sensitization pattern and no decline in sensitization frequencies. This is in line with data from the literature. Particularly in healthcare, there is a need for (i) allergen declaration on the glove package, and (ii) gloves with reduced accelerator content.
authors: Information Network of Department of Dermatology, University of Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany. jgeier@gwdg.de
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Geier
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Lessmann
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Mahler
authors: Ute
authors: U
authors: Pohrt
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Uter
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies