New resin allergens in shoe contact dermatitis

Changes in the shoe industry have replaced some of the former allergens and introduced some new ones. In 45 cases of shoe contact dermatitis, the lack of response to known allergens inspired the authors to review present-day industrial shoe manufacture. Two new resin allergens for shoe dermatitis have been found: dodecyl mercapthane and polyurethanes. The first is used in the plastics industry to arrest the polymerization process. We suggest the possibility that a certain number of Neoprene sensitizations could be sensitizations to dodecyl mercapthane contained in it. The recommended solution for patch testing is: 0.1% in toluol.