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Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Description of key information

Diphenylthiourea is a human skin sensitiser (ECETOC 1999). Several publications reported cases where patients showed a skin sensitisation after skin contact with diphenylthiourea (DPTU) in the occupational and general populations, for example, from contact with wet suit, swim goggles, running shoes, orthopedic devices, mouse pads and iPod holders.

Additional information

Human sensitisation


Thioureas are widely used accelerators in the manufacture of synthetic rubber products. Allergic contact dermatitis because of thiourea sensitization from orthopaedic joint braces, protective clothing, swim suits, and various sports equipment has been reported (Fregert 1982, Meding 1990, Villarreal 1997, Boehncke 1997).


Because the occurrence of rubber products containing thioureas may be common today, a mixture of thrre thiourea chemicals was added to the Finnish patch test baseline series in 2002 (Liippo 2010). Also, the authors have analyzed the occurrence of positive patch test reactions to thiourea chemicals and sources of sensitization among Finnish general dermatology patients with suspected contact allergy during a 6 -year period. Thiourea mix yielded positive patch test reactions in 59 of 15100 patients (0.39%). Diphenylthiourea was positive in 5/33 patients tested with individual rubber chemicals.