Violin bow-associated rubber allergy in a child.

摘要

In this day and age of cell phones, remote controls, sports gear, and motorized oral-hygiene equipment, rubber is ubiquitous. We highlight the unexpected relevance of a child's violin bow to his allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Awareness and avoidance of rubber on instruments and personal effects may help prevent ACD.When one thinks of the delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions that have been previously noted in association with violins, "fiddler's neck" with ACD from rosin and rosewood comes to mind. ACD from the varnish (due to propolis) and from the metal of the strings has also been reported. We present a case of hand dermatitis from the rubber component of the violin bow and highlight additional pertinent sources of carbamate, to which the patient was found to be allergic.