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A cream containing the chelator DTPA (diethylenetriaminepenta‐acetic acid) can prevent contact allergic reactions to metals
Author(s) -
Wöhrl Stefan,
Kriechbaumer Nicole,
Hemmer Wolfgang,
Focke Margarete,
Brannath Werner,
Götz Manfred,
Jarisch Reinhart
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2001.044004224.x
Subject(s) - potassium dichromate , contact dermatitis , copper sulfate , chelation , nickel , patch test , allergic contact dermatitis , cobalt , allergy , sulfate , chemistry , chloride , medicine , copper , nuclear chemistry , dermatology , inorganic chemistry , immunology , organic chemistry
Chelating agents in protective barrier creams have often been used in the prevention of allergic contact dermatitis to nickel. In a pilot study, we demonstrated the preventive effect of 10% diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in an oil‐in‐water emulsion in nickel‐sensitized patients. Now we reproduced these results in a randomized, double‐blind study. Additionally, we investigated the efficacy of the barrier cream in other clinically relevant metal allergies. Individuals sensitized to various metals had a significant decrease in positive patch test reactions after pre‐treatment with the DTPA‐cream: 2.5% nickel sulfate (24/28 positive without pre‐treatment versus 1/28 with pre‐treatment; p <0.0001), 5% nickel sulfate (30/32 versus 15/32; p =0.0003), 1% cobalt chloride (19/20 versus 6/20; p =0.001) and 5% copper sulfate (13/14 versus 5/14; p =0.02). However, the cream had no protective effect with 1% palladium chloride (17/23 versus 16/23) and with 0.5% potassium dichromate (9/13 versus 7/13). We conclude that the DTPA‐cream clearly abrogates positive patch test reactions in nickel‐, cobalt‐ and copper‐sensitized subjects and that it may therefore be helpful in the management of allergic contact dermatitis.