An 8-Year Retrospective Review of Patch Testing with Rubber Allergens: The Mayo Clinic Experience

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis from rubber chemicals is increasingly recognized. OBJECTIVE: To review the results of patch testing with rubber allergens from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2007. METHODS: Patients who underwent patch testing with a specialized series of rubber allergens were identified. RESULTS: In total, 773 patients (64.2% female; mean age, 48.6 years) were patch-tested with a rubber series (27 allergens), and 739 (95.6%) were concomitantly patch-tested with a standard allergen series. Commonly affected sites of dermatitis were the hand (49.7%), foot (15.9%), leg (12.0%), and arm (10.9%). The most common occupations were health care worker (16.3%) and homemaker (6.5%); 11.3% were retired. The rate of allergic reaction to at least one rubber allergen was 245 of 773 (31.7%). The allergens that most commonly yielded positive reactions were 4,4-dithiodimorpholine 1% (28/286 [9.8%]), thiuram mix (56/739 [7.6%]), and diphenylguanidine 1% (57/759 [7.5%]). CONCLUSION: Rubber is a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing with a rubber series improved the ability to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber.