Mercapto Mix

If patients are mercapto mix sensitive and have foot dermatitis, it is probably due to their shoes. They may wear all-leather shoes with no inner or outer sole, like moccasins. Molded plastic shoes or wooden clogs can be worn. Such patients can contact their local shoe stores and ask for U.S.-made, rubber-free shoes. If they cannot find such shoes, the insoles might be removed from leather shoes and insoles cut from piano felt or corks, or plastic inserted. Sweating should be minimized, and stockings that may have absorbed allergens should be discarded.

Patients who are mercapto mix sensitive and have hand dermatitis should avoid rubber (latex) gloves and if possible, wear vinyl gloves only. If they must wear rubber gloves, manufacturer should be contacted to acquire thiazole-free gloves. If the patient has persistent difficulties in acquisition, one important resource is smartpractice.com.

Allergic patients should avoid contact with other products listed below and check the chemicals used in their work if they are in the agricultural or photographic industries.