Dermatitis®

Carba mix (CM, 3% petrolatum) contains 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG, 1%), zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (1%), and zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate (1%). Because DPG is a component of CM, DPG is often not tested separately. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of concomitant reactions to CM and DPG.

A retrospective analysis of the 2013–2016 North American Contact Dermatitis Group data was conducted. The study group consisted of patients with final interpretation of “allergic” to either DPG or CM. Reactions coded as irritant or doubtful/macular erythema (+/− and not interpreted as allergic) were excluded.

A total of 10,457 patients were patch tested to both CM and DPG, and 610 (5.8%) had allergic reactions to either CM or DPG (CM only [n = 292, 47.9%], DPG only [n = 190, 31.1%], both [n = 128, 21.0%]). A total of 39.4% of CM-allergic patients reacted to DPG, and 59.7% of DPG-allergic patients reacted to CM. Analyses found that 25% (++/+++ subgroup) to 40% (all patients) of allergic reactions to DPG would have been missed by testing to CM alone. More than 70% of reactions to CM and DPG were +/− or +.

Patch testing to CM will miss 25% to 40% of positive reactions to DPG. Both CM and DPG have a high frequency of +/− and + reactions.

Reports of patch test data with an extended metal series that includes rare metals are limited.

The aims of the study were to analyze and report patch testing results from an extended metal series, examine associations with sex and age, and highlight concomitant metal reactions.

This study is a retrospective review of 150 patients referred for suspected metal allergy from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016.

The most common indications for evaluation referral were those having symptoms after implantation of a metal device (55.3%) and those with a history and concern of metal allergy before implantation of a metal device (22.0%). One or more positive patch test reactions were observed in 87 patients (58.0%). Metals with the highest frequencies were nickel sulfate 2.5% (26.2%), gold sodium thiosulfate 0.5% (23.0%), gold sodium thiosulfate 2.0% (20.7%), palladium chloride 2.0% (19.6%), cobalt chloride 1.0% (12.0%), and manganese chloride 2.0% (10.1%). Of the 45 metals tested, 15 caused no patch test reactions. Female patients were more likely to be sensitized to nickel, gold, and palladium (P < 0.05). Younger patients (≤40 years) had higher reaction rates to nickel, mercury, palladium, and cobalt. Concomitant reactions of the top metals (nickel, palladium, gold, and cobalt) were statistically associated bidirectionally (P < 0.05), except for cobalt and gold.

Allergy to metals, including those not included in standard series, may be more prevalent than previously suspected. Results may help guide future testing for suspected metal allergy, although future studies are warranted.

Testing cosmetics and their ingredients is essential to avoid missing relevant allergens and to monitor fluctuating incidence of hypersensitivity.

The aim of this study was to review the usefulness of patch testing with a customized antimicrobials, vehicles, and cosmetics (AVC) series over 15 years at a single Canadian site.

Between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019, patients suspected of having cosmetics allergy were patch tested with a 40-allergen AVC series in addition to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group standard screening series. We reviewed the patch test results of 2868 patients.

We consecutively patch tested with the baseline series 6103 patients, of which 2868 (47%) were also tested with the AVC series. Of 53 different allergens that were tested at some point, 26 remained in the series throughout the 15-year span. The most common positive allergens were thimerosal (4.52%), polyvidone-iodine (2.25%), propolis (2.06%), sodium metabisulfite (1.94%), dodecyl gallate (1.53%), carmine (1.10%), lauryl glucoside (1.01%), sandalwood oil (0.7%), and tert-butylhydroquinone (0.7%).

Although the expansion of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group standard screening series has decreased the yield from the AVC series from 21.1% to 13.9%, it still remains a useful adjunct for patients suspected of having cosmetics or disinfectants allergy.

The persistent, difficult-to-treat, allergic contact dermatitis from hexavalent chromium in European construction workers has diminished significantly since the legislative measurements that came into force in January 2005. However, sensitization to hexavalent chromium continues to be a problem. Barrier creams have been tried for various allergens with divergent results.

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective capacity of barrier cream candidates against hexavalent chromium in a patch test situation.

An experimental study was performed to investigate the reductive properties of glutathione and iron sulfate on the patch test reactivity in chromium-allergic individuals when exposed to hexavalent chromium. In this study, we also investigated the protective properties of a commercially available barrier cream.

A higher number of volunteers (16/18) showed reactions on the skin treated with the commercially available barrier cream, compared with the untreated skin (13/18) on test reading day 3/4 or day 7. The skin treated with petrolatum or Essex cream showed fewer and less prominent allergic reactions than the skin treated with the commercially available barrier cream.

Patch test preparation for evaluation of allergic contact dermatitis is traditionally a slow process with inherent errors.

A novel device, referred to as a syringer, designed to dispense 10 unique petroleum-based haptens simultaneously, significantly reduces preparation time and increases the precision of the mass dispensed per well.

The syringer was custom designed and “printed” through the use of a 3-dimensional printer with a polylactic acid plastic medium.

The syringer dispensed 10 haptens significantly (P < 0.05) faster: 6.9 seconds on average, compared with 29.6 seconds by the traditional method. The syringer demonstrated a significantly (P < 0.05) lower average deviation of each strip's per-well mass average compared with the traditional method.

In practice, this syringer is ideal for preparing patient-ready patch tests in quantities of 2 identical strips or more.

Contact dermatitis can be difficult to manage and overwhelming for patients, often requiring significant lifestyle changes.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether a contact dermatitis support group could help patients find community and learn from others who share similar experiences.

Hour-long, monthly support group meetings facilitated by a social worker, research fellows, and a faculty dermatologist were held for approximately 1.5 years. A 32-question, cross-sectional survey was administered to assess perception of contact dermatitis and overall usefulness of the group.

Between 2 and 5 patients attended each group session; 9 participants completed the survey. Most were female (77.8%) and white (77.8%), with an average age of 68.8 years. Eight participants (88.9%) reported that it was important or somewhat important to socialize with others affected by contact dermatitis. Three group members (33.3%) had met with attendees outside of the monthly sessions. The majority (77.8%) reported that the support group had a positive effect on their understanding of contact dermatitis and would recommend the group to others (88.9%).

Support groups may be helpful for patients learning to cope with the challenges associated with contact dermatitis. Although preliminary feedback is promising, further investigation is warranted to determine whether these groups are effective on a larger scale.