Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: December | Volume: 9 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 15-24
Significance of Patch Testing in Patients with Hand Eczema
Ayushi Lodha1, Sayalee Mhatre1, Shylaja Someshwar2
1Resident, Department of Dermatology, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai.
2Professor and Head of Department of Dermatology, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai.
Corresponding Author: Dr Sayalee Mhatre
ABSTRACT
Introduction- Hand eczema has multifactorial etiology and can be aggravated by exogenous agents. Therefore identification and avoidance of the external contactants is of paramount importance in appropriate management.
Aim- To identify the allergen and to assess the significance of patch testing as a diagnostic tool in hand eczema
Materials and methods- Patch testing was performed in 100 patients of hand eczema with Indian standard series and as it is (ASIS) was done only for selected cases. Patches were applied on the back and reading was done on 2nd, 4th and 7thday according to International Contact Dermatitis Research group (ICDRG) guidelines.
Results- In our study maximum numbers of patients were in the age group of 21-30 years with slight male preponderance. Housewives (35%) were the most commonly affected group followed by cement workers (9%) and students (9%).Hyperkeratotic eczema (44%) and housewife eczema (20%) were most common morphological types. Patch test was positive in 49% cases. Fragrance mix (26.5%) emerged as most common allergen followed by thiuram mix (18.4%); potassium bichromate (16.32%); nickel sulphate and Paraphenyldiamine each 14.2%. Thiuram (30%) was most common allergen in men while fragrance mix (31.5%) was in females. ASIS was done in 10 patients, was negative in 9 and 1 showed irritant reaction.
Conclusion- Significant correlation was seen between hyperkeratotic eczema and paraphenyldiamine, fingertip eczema and fragrance mix, wear and tear eczema and neomycin, patchy vesiculosquamous eczema with neomycin sulphate, peru balsam, mercaptobenzothiazole and formaldehyde, ring eczema and paraphenyldiamine.
Key words: hand eczema, patch testing