Abstract
Background and objectives: Patch testing with commercially available kits detects only 70-80% of relevant allergens in patients with contact dermatitis. This is not ideal, especially when occupational issues are being evaluated. This study analyses our data regarding reactions to patients' own products. Methods: In a 5-year period, 1532 patients were assessed in our occupational dermatology clinic. Results: We found that 101 patients (6.6%) reacted to their own samples. In 20 (1.3%) cases, reacting to their own samples was the only clue for detecting the responsible allergen. In 59 (3.9%) cases, testing with their own samples reinforced their reactions to commercial allergens. Conclusions: We found the overall additive value of testing with patients' own products to be 5.2%. This is not a low proportion considering the 20-30% false negative rate when patch testing. Patch testing with patients' own samples, appropriately diluted should be undertaken whenever possible.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 231-235 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Contact Dermatitis |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Allergy
- Hand eczema
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Own substances
- Samples