Allergy to diethylthiourea
What is diethylthiourea and where is it found?
Diethylthiourea is part of the allergen group referred to as mixed dialkyl thioureas. The other thiourea included in this group is dibutylthiourea.
Thiourea derivatives are added to neoprene rubber products such as wet suits for diving, rubber weather stripping, neoprene rubber gloves, orthopaedic knee and elbow sleeves, swim goggles, waders for fishing, insoles of athletic shoes, and keyboard wrist supports. Adding diethylthiourea speeds up the vulcanization of neoprene rubber which makes the rubber more stable, tougher and more pliable so it can be shaped and formed into different products. Industrial uses of diethylthiourea are found in anticorrosive compounds, detergents, fungicides and insecticides, some polyvinyl chloride adhesives, and in diazo copy paper which is used for industrial textile patterns and architectural plans.
What are the reactions to diethylthiourea allergy?
In diethylthiourea allergic individuals, contact with diethylthiourea produces classic allergic contact dermatitis.
The dermatitis is usually confined to the area of the neoprene rubber product. For example, in two reported cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from trolley handle padding made of neoprene rubber, both patients had vesicular dermatitis on their palms, fingers and wrists. However, footwear is the most common source of diethylthiourea allergy whereas gloves are the most common occupational source.
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Am I allergic to diethylthiourea?
Diethylthiourea allergy is diagnosed by performing special allergy tests, i.e. patch tests. Concentrations of 1.0% diethylthiourea in petrolatum can be used for patch testing.
The number of cases of contact allergy to diethylthiourea reported in the literature is relatively small. Targeted patch testing with diethylthiourea and retrospective analysis has shown that patients with a history of neoprene rubber dermatitis react positively and stongly to diethylthiourea 1% .
Treatment of diethylthiourea allergy
Confirmation of diethylthiourea allergy requires the removal of the causative agent and then management as for any acute dermatitis/eczema; this may include treatment with topical corticosteroids and emollients.
What should I do to avoid diethylthiourea allergy?
Patients with diethylthiourea allergy should avoid contact with neoprene rubber products. Your dermatologist may have further specific advice, particularly if you are highly sensitive to diethylthiourea.
Alternative names for diethylthiourea
- 1,3-Diethyl-2-thiourea
- 1,3-diethylthiourea
- N,N′-Diethylthiocarbamide
- N,N′-Diethylthiourea
- Accel EUR
- Pennzone E
- Nocceler EUR
- Thiate H
- U 15030
- Thiourea
- Dall A, Andersen K,. Mortz C. Targeted testing with diethylthiourea often reveals clinically relevant allergic contact dermatitis caused by neoprene rubber. Contact Dermatitis. 2012;67:89-93.
- Liippo J, Ackermann L, Lammintausta K, Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by diethylthiourea in a neoprene handle of a cleaning trolley. Contact Dermatitis 2011; 64: 359-60.
- Liippo J, Ackermann L, Hasan T, Laukkanen A, Rantanen T, Lammintausta K. Sensitization to thiourea derivatives among Finnish patients with suspected contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 2010: 63: 37–41.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – Medscape Reference, the online textbook
- NA88: Mixed dialkyl thioureas – AllergEAZE
Further information
Formula: C5H12N2S
CAS number: 105-55-5
Cross reactions:
Appearance: white solid
Sensitizer: diethylthiourea
Patch Test: 1.0% diethylthiourea in petrolatum
Related information
References:
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