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.