Allergic contact dermatitis to medical equipment in a non-health care worker caring for a disabled spouse.

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to rubber accelerators is a common occurrence, especially in health care workers, but the risks in family caregivers are not as well documented.

OBJECTIVE

To document a case of a 66-year-old woman who developed recurrent, extensive flares of ACD from contact with rubber accelerators through caregiving.

METHOD AND

RESULTS

Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to two common rubber accelerators: carba mix (3+) and thiuram mix (3+). The patient described caring for her disabled husband, which involved handling rubberized medical equipment.

CONCLUSION

Physicians should appreciate ACD in non-health care workers caused by rubber accelerators found in medical equipment. Individuals providing care for sick or elderly relatives should be further questioned on exposure to a hospital environment and contact with medical equipment.