Severe facial reaction to thiurams in surgeons

Abstract

Contact dermatitis is a major problem in the healthcare environment and in other sectors. Healthcare professionals may be exposed to a large number of chemical agents, including the accelerators for rubber vulcanization process. The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis among operators in the sector ranges 13-30%. This paper describes the case of a 46-year-old male cardiac surgeon affected by a severe skin reaction localized on the face in the absence of hand dermatitis, presumably resulting from the use of a surgical patch applied to the face. Patch tests were performed and the result was negative for latex and positive (+++) for thiuram mix. A thiuram-free tape was prescribed and the operator's dermatitis improved significantly. Th us, it wo uld be very important to pay attention to skin disorders in health workers and thiuram as an occupational allergen. Med Pr. 2019; 70(1):121-4

Contact allergy to rubber accelerators in consecutively patch tested Danish eczema patients: A retrospective observational study from 1990 to 2019

“…Facial dermatitis in relation to rubber accelerators has been ascribed to direct exposure, for example, from unintended touching of face during work, but also indirect airborne exposure. [28][29][30][31] We compared the two nine-year periods 2002-2010 and 2011-2019 to investigate possible recent changes in the MOAHLFA-index among patients with contact allergy to rubber accelerators. The findings indicate that patients with contact allergy to one or more rubber accelerates in the most recent period might be more likely to have occupational dermatitis and hand dermatitis and less likely to have leg dermatitis.…”

“…We found no significant associations between contact allergy to rubber accelerators and facial dermatitis. Facial dermatitis in relation to rubber accelerators has been ascribed to direct exposure, for example, from unintended touching of face during work, but also indirect airborne exposure 28–31 …”

Skin sensitization among night shift and daytime healthcare workers: a cross sectional study

“…Currently in hospital setting the attention is focused on some allergens more commonly implicated in skin sensitization (SS) among HCWs. Positivity to the epicutaneous tests among those workers have been reported to be common for thiuram, quaternary ammonium, formaldehyde, benzalkonium chloride, latex, and nickel (3,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”