Sensitivity to rubber. Study with rubber mixes and individual rubber chemicals.

During a 3-year period 3332 patients were patch tested with ICDRG standard series including 4 rubber mixes. Additional tests were performed with individual rubber chemicals and suspected solid rubber products. Rubber sensitivity was detected in 158 (4.7%) patients. Thiuram mix caused most of the positive reactions (73) followed by carba mix (51), PPD mix (40) and mercapto mix (19). From the individual rubber chemicals TMTM, TETD and IPPD caused allergic reactions most frequently. Rubber mixes, especially thiuram and PPD mix appeared to be better screening agents than any individual chemical to detect rubber allergy. However, MBT is recommended to be tested separately. Carba mix caused several irritant reactions. Three immediate type rubber reactions were seen. Gloves were the most common individual sources of rubber sensitivity.