This agent is commonly used in the production of rubber products. It is the most common cause of shoe contact dermatitis and rubber contact dermatitis.
Try to minimize your exposure to all rubber products. It may be difficult to determine which rubber products contain MBT. You may substitute products made of vinyl, plastic, leather, wood and fabric.
Be suspicious of any product containing rubber that seems to cause a rash where it touches your body.
It may take 2 to 3 weeks of avoiding exposure before improvement of your eruption begins.
Other names you see Mercaptobenzothiazole listed as:
2-Benzathiazalethiol
2-Mercaptobenzothiazole
Captax
Dermacid
MBT
Mertax
Nocceler M
Rotax
Thiotax
Some possible Occupational Exposures
Nurses
Plumbers/pipe fitters
Machine operators
Contact Allergy Links
Where is it found?
What is it?
Hints on avoiding:
Accelerator
Adhesive tape and bandages
Anticorrosive agents
Antifreeze
Balloons
Boots
Brassieres
Caulking
Cements
Condoms
Cutting oil
If you have a shoe contact dermatitis:
- Wear solid leather shoes like moccasins or wood clogs (no inner or outer rubber soles).
- Try insoles free of MBT to see if this makes dress shoes wearable for you.
- Socks and stockings worn with shoes containing MBT can be contaminated and may not wash out easily and should be discarded.
- Leather shoes can have mercaptobenzothiazole in soles, lining and adhesives.
- Ask your shoe store for rubber free shoes.
Dental dams
Detergents
Dialysis equipment
Diaphragms
Earphones
Electrodes
Elastic/Rubberized clothing
Electrical cords
Erasers
Flea powders
Fungicides
Garden hoses
Girdles
Gloves (medical, household)
Glue for leather and plastics
Medical devices
Photographic film emulsion
Rubber bands
Rubber clothing
Rubber handles on tools
Rubber eyelash curlers
Rubber pillows/sheets
Rubber shoes (sneakers,
tennis shoes, etc.)
Rubber undergarments
Safety goggles
Shoes
Sponge makeup applicators
Stethoscopes
Support stockings
Swimwear and goggles
Tick powder
Tires and tubes
Toys
Veterinary medications
This information is provided as educational only and is
not intended to substitute for medical care or recommendations by a physician.