carbamix and Dermatitis--Atopic

Because patients with atopic dermatitis are less prone to type IV allergies, there has been controversy regarding the role of patch testing in these patients.. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of patch testing in atopic individuals.. One-hundred patients with hand eczema were patch tested using the standard patch test battery (HERMAL, Kurt Herrmann, Reinbek, West Germany) and the Finn chamber units. The total immunoglobulin class E (IgE) level was determined and correlated to the results of patch testing.. Eighty-seven patients had positive patch test reactions. Among the 87 patients, 39 (44.8%) had atopic dermatitis. The most common allergens yielding positive results were nickel sulfate, 2.5%, (58.6%); potassium dichromate, 0.25% (56.3%); carba mix, 3%, (44.82%); formaldehyde, 1% in H2O, (40.22%); neomycin sulfate, 20%, (33.3%); and balsam of Peru 25%, (17.24%) respectively. Patients with atopic dermatitis were more frequently sensitive to neomycin sulfate than nonatopics.. Patients with atopic dermatitis should be patch tested when indicated because they also develop contact allergic sensitization to a significant degree. Our observations indicate that patch testing with standard allergens often adds valuable information about contact sensitivity in these patients.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Balsams; Caustics; Dermatitis, Atopic; Ditiocarb; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Fixatives; Formaldehyde; Guanidines; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immunoglobulin E; Irritants; Middle Aged; Neomycin; Nickel; Patch Tests; Potassium Dichromate; Thiocarbamates