Rubber accelerators allergy
Contact allergy to thiurams and other rubber chemicals.
About rubber accelerators allergy
Rubber accelerators are chemicals such as thiurams, carbamates and mercaptobenzothiazole added during rubber manufacture to speed up the hardening process. They are a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from rubber products, a delayed, type IV reaction appearing 12 to 72 hours after contact, and are usually more responsible for rubber allergy than the latex itself. Common sources include rubber gloves, elasticated clothing, footwear, tyres and rubber tools. Healthcare workers, cleaners, hairdressers and others who wear rubber gloves for long periods are particularly affected.
The rash is itchy, red and often dry, cracked or blistered, and typically appears on the hands and wrists in a glove distribution, or wherever elasticated or rubber items press against the skin, such as the waistband or feet. With continued glove use it commonly becomes chronic and can significantly affect work. Because thiurams are also used in some fungicides and pesticides, and share chemistry with certain other agents, cross-reactions between related rubber chemicals are common.
Diagnosis is by patch testing with a dermatologist, not skin-prick testing. Management is identifying and avoiding the responsible chemicals, switching to accelerator-free or synthetic gloves such as certain nitrile or vinyl types, and protecting the skin at work. Emollients help restore the barrier and topical steroids may be advised for flares. See your GP or an occupational-health service if a hand rash linked to glove use persists or is affecting your work.
Common triggers
- Rubber accelerators and products containing it
Symptoms
- Red, itchy rash (contact dermatitis)
- Dry, cracked or scaly skin
- Blistering or weeping in severe cases
- Burning or stinging where skin met the trigger
Avoidance & management
- Avoid skin contact with the trigger
- Wear gloves or use barrier creams
- Choose products labelled free from the allergen
- Rinse skin promptly after contact
- Use emollients or prescribed steroid creams
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.