Chemical-induced vitiligo in a rubber gloves factory worker

Abstract

Chemical-induced vitiligo or chemical leukoderma, is an acquired skin depigmentation due to repeated exposure to specific chemical compounds in subjects with genetic susceptibility to vitiligo. Male patient with vitiligo who worked in a rubber gloves factory came to dermatology clinic. We analyze the relationship between his disease and his work. A 31-year-old man presented with a history of white plaque on the forehead, nose, right cheek bone and palpebra and behind both ears in the last 18 months. He reported no itchiness, redness, or pain. He works as a rubber gloves factory worker whose job is to carry and pour raw rubber gloves material such as potassium hydroxide and powdered premixed latex into the boiler for 3 years. The patient’s diagnosis of vitiligo was chemical-induced or aroused from occupational exposure, possibly the premixed latex. Further investigation is needed to find the composition of premixed latex to establish chemical-induced vitiligo as the occupational diagnosis.