Allergic Contact Dermatitis in an Adolescent Athlete: Mercaptobenzothiazole and Mercapto Mix

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed type (Type 4) hypersensitivity reaction that occurs after recurrence of previously encountered and sensitizing substances. Although adults have the most occupational exposure, hobbies, toys and sports equipment may also be associated with this clinical picture in children. The patch test is the gold standard to detect the allergy and make a definite diagnosis. A 13-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with pruritic lesions on both hands and feet for the last two months. The history revealed that he had been involved in two months of intense sports, using goalkeeper’s gloves while playing soccer and rubber slippers for swimming. The patient was primarily considered to have contact dermatitis . A patch test was performed with the European standard series for differential diagnosis. Mercaptobenzothiazole and mercapto mix were evaluated as positive. We would like to emphasize through this case that sports activities, toys, and hobbies should be questioned for possible contact allergen in the diagnosis of dermatitis in childhood, and we intended to highlight the importance of the patch test in the diagnosis.