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Allergic Reactions to Rubber Components

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Contact Dermatitis

Abstract

Rubber materials are ubiquitous. In patients with suspected rubber allergy, contact allergies (type IV allergies) to rubber additives are frequent, whereas type I allergies (presenting as contact urticaria syndrome) to natural rubber latex (NRL) proteins occur much less frequently. Hundreds of different rubber additives may be used in different blends of rubber. They are added to natural rubber latex as well as to synthetic rubber elastomers during the manufacturing process. During the production of rubber for polymerization of monomers, vulcanizing agents (accelerators) are indispensable. Even from fully cured rubber products, sensitizers may leach out over time. The rubber accelerators (thiurams, carbamates, thiazoles, and thioureas) and antioxidants (mainly p-phenylenediamine (PPD) derivatives) constitute the most frequent contact allergens among the rubber chemicals. Types of rubber, consumer and occupational exposures, clinical signs of rubber allergy, diagnostic measures and pitfalls, as well as preventive measures and occupational implications of rubber allergy are presented in this chapter.

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Acknowledgments

This contribution is based on a previous paper by author that appeared in Quick Guide to Contact Dermatitis (Johansen JD, Lepoittevin JP, Thyssen JP (eds)), Springer 2016, pp. 159–179), which has been substantially updated and expanded as a chapter for this book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany

    Vera Mahler

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  1. Vera Mahler
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Correspondence to Vera Mahler .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy National Allergy Research Centre Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jeanne Duus Johansen

  2. Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany

    Vera Mahler

  3. Laboratoire de Dermatochimie, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France

    Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin

  4. Professor emeritus Formerly Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter J. Frosch

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Mahler, V. (2021). Allergic Reactions to Rubber Components. In: Johansen, J.D., Mahler, V., Lepoittevin, JP., Frosch, P.J. (eds) Contact Dermatitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36335-2_87

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36335-2_87

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