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Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by sterile non‐latex protective gloves: clinical investigation and chemical analyses
Author(s) -
Pontén Ann,
Hamnerius Nils,
Bruze Magnus,
Hansson Christer,
Persson Christina,
Svedman Cecilia,
Thörneby Andersson Kirsten,
Bergendorff Ola
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12010
Subject(s) - allergic contact dermatitis , contact dermatitis , dermatology , medicine , irritant contact dermatitis , occupational exposure , patch testing , allergy , immunology , medical emergency
Background An increased frequency of occupational contact hand dermatitis among surgical operating theatre personnel has been noticed. Objectives To evaluate patients with occupational contact dermatitis caused by their rubber gloves, and to describe a method for analysing the content of the allergens in the gloves. Materials and methods Patch tests were performed with the baseline series, a rubber chemical series, and the patients' own gloves. A method for analysing 1,3‐diphenylguanidine (DPG) and cetylpyridinium chloride in the gloves was developed. Results Contact allergy to thiuram mix was found in 8 of 16 patients, whereas 12 of 16 patients reacted to DPG. In 7 of 8 patients, contact allergy to cetylpyridinium chloride was found. In the patients' gloves, cetylpyridinium chloride and DPG were detected at higher concentrations on the inside of the gloves than on the outside. Most patients had worked for decades in their present occupations, but their hand dermatitis had only been present for months. Conclusion Contact allergy to DPG in gloves has been disputed, but, in this study, we were able to confirm the presence of DPG and cetylpyridinium chloride in the causative gloves by using a modified method for the analysis. The presence of these chemicals in gloves caused an increase in occupational contact dermatitis in surgical operating theatre personnel.