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Patch testing to plastics in Sheffield
Author(s) -
Ferguson Adam,
Gawkrodger DJ
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.0309gu.x
Subject(s) - patch testing , epoxy , allergic contact dermatitis , contact dermatitis , dermatology , medicine , patch test , allergy , organic chemistry , chemistry , immunology
We reviewed our experience patch testing to plastics at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, England. The department’s electronic database was searched from June 2002 to December 2003. In total 434 patients where patch tested to the British Standard Series. All positive reactions to epoxy resin and p‐tert‐Butylphenol‐Formaldehyde resin (PTBF)where recorded. 28 of the patients tested to the Standard Series where also tested to an extended Plastics Series and again positive reactions where recorded. Type‐4 mediated hypersensitivity reactions where seen in, 3 men secondary to epoxy resin, 2 men secondary to PTBF and in 1 women secondary to triethylene glycol acrylate. No irritant reactions where recorded. Epoxy resin was thought to be the cause of an occupational allergic hand dermatitis in 2 of the men. The positive reactions in the other patients where felt not to be of current relevance to their dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis to plastic appears to be rare in patients attending for patch testing in Sheffield. In particular the frequency of reactions to epoxy resin, a potent sensitizer, is less than 1%. This is perhaps surprising as Sheffield is a large industrial city where exposure to epoxy resins is likely to be common. Hopefully this reflects safe workin practices in Sheffield.