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Allergic contact dermatitis in venous leg ulcer patients
Author(s) -
Tavadia S.,
Bianchi J.,
Dawe R. S.,
McEvoy M.,
Wiggins E.,
Hamill E.,
Urcelay M.,
Strong A. M. M.,
Douglas W. S.
Publication year - 2003
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.1600-0536.2003.00111.x
Subject(s) - medicine , patch test , patch testing , contact dermatitis , allergic contact dermatitis , dermatology , allergy , venous leg ulcer , leg ulcer , allergen , surgery , immunology
Our aim was to determine the frequency and nature of contact sensitivity in venous leg ulcer patients in Lanarkshire. We performed patch testing with the European standard series, antimicrobials and medicaments on 200 patients referred to our leg ulcer clinics. Positive patch tests were found in 136 (68%) patients. Multiple allergies occurred in 102 (51%). The most frequent allergen groups were fragrances (30·5%), antimicrobials (19·5%), topical excipients (19·5%), rubber accelerators (13·5%) and topical corticosteroids (8%). We also found a high prevalence of positive patch tests to Intrasite ® gel (9·5%) and Hioxyl ® cream (8·5%), medicaments which are commonly used to treat leg ulcers in our area. Contact sensitivity is common in venous leg ulcer patients and has important implications for patient management. The allergens involved vary depending on local nursing practice. We suggest that all venous leg ulcer patients be patch tested with a locally relevant patch test series.