Contact dermatitis in students practicing sports: incidence of rubber sensitisation

Background-Over the last few years, changes in cutaneous homoeostasis resul ting from sports activities have been reported. In particular, alterations in sweating mechanisms, the hydrolipid barrier, and surface bacterial flora , together with exposure to atmospheric conditions and the need to use medi caments, detergents, and other topical substances, predispose subjects to a llergic contact dermatitis. Objective-To evaluate the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in a gro up of young people practising sports activities. Methods Patch tests were p erformed to confirm the diagnosis of irritant or allergic dermatitis; in ad dition, the radioallergoabsorbent test (RAST) to latex was evaluated in the group studied. Results-Allergic contact dermatitis caused by thiourams (23.3%) and mercapt obenzothiazole (20.9%) was prevalent. Ether haptens, such as benzocaine and nickel, which are contained in clothing, equipment, topical medicaments, a nd creams used for massage, were also allergenic. In two cases, RAST positi vity to latex was registered. Conclusions-The results suggest that close contact with sports equipment ma y increase the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis. Students practisin g certain sports may have "professional" allergic contact dermatitis to add itives used in the production of rubber.