Evaluation of Patients With Positive Patch Test Reactions to Rubber Additives: A Retrospective Study From Turkey Between 1996 and 2023.

BACKGROUND

Rubber additives are common causes of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) worldwide, yet data from Turkey remain limited.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of rubber additive sensitisation and its clinical/occupational relevance in a tertiary referral centre.

METHODS

A retrospective study on 2687 consecutively patch-tested patients with rubber additives at our allergy unit between 1996 and 2023.

RESULTS

Rubber sensitisation was found in 10.6%, with a slight increase after 2010. Male predominance was noted (female: male = 1:2.3). Thiurams and carbamates were the most frequent sensitizers. ACD was diagnosed in 7.9%, primarily caused by gloves (85.5%). Hands were most commonly affected (94.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that thiuram and carbamate sensitisation was significantly associated with hand eczema, while benzothiazole derivatives were linked to foot eczema. Airborne ACD occurred in 4.2%, mainly in healthcare workers. Hand eczema with and without wrist extension was observed with similar frequency. Occupational ACD accounted for 79.3% of cases, especially among construction (56.8%) and healthcare workers (14.8%), with a relative increase in the latter group after 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of sensitisation from rubber gloves is concerning. Legal measures are urgently needed, including safer additives and clearer glove labelling. Patch testing remains essential, even without the classic glove-pattern distribution.