Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation
Published on: March 24, 2023
Occupational Contact Dermatitis in Mechanics and Repairers Referred for Patch Testing: Retrospective Analysis From
Erin M Warshaw1, Solveig L Hagen, Denis Sasseville
1From the *HCMC Parkside Occupational and Contact Dermatitis Clinic and Department of Dermatology, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center; †Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis; ‡Division of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; §Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco; ∥Division of Dermatology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ¶Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY; #University of Louisville, KY; **Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; ††Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic; ‡‡Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati, OH; §§Associates in Dermatology, Fort Myers, FL; ∥∥University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles; ¶¶Department of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; ##Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, Canada; ***Ohio State University, Columbus; and †††Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Science University, Portland.
Background:
Contact dermatoses are common in mechanic and repair occupations.
Objectives:
This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of occupationally related contact dermatitis among mechanics/repairers patch tested from 1998 to 2014 by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, (2) characterize responsible allergens and irritants, and their sources, and (3) compare results among 3 occupational subgroups (mechanics, electrical/electronic, and other).
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis of patients patch tested by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group between 1998 and 2014.
Results:
Of 38,784 patients patch tested, 691 (1.8%) were mechanics/repairers. Male sex (93.5%) and hand involvement (59.5%) were common overall. Occupationally related skin disease was more prevalent among vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics/repairers (52.7%) and other mechanics/repairers (41.4%) than electrical/electronic equipment mechanics/repairers (21.3%). Overall, carba mix, thiuram mix, and methylchloroisothiazolone/methylisothiazolone were the most common occupation-related clinically relevant allergens. Gloves, automotive vehicles, solvents, oils, lubricants, and fuels were the most common sources of responsible allergens.
Conclusions:
Common occupationally related allergens included rubber accelerators and the preservative methylchloroisothiazolone/methylisothiazolone.
