An Epidemiological Study of Contact Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies on epidemiological aspects of contact dermatitis have been published in recent years since the introduction of a standardized method of patch test. We have performed the patch test on patients with contact dermatitis and on patients with other forms of dermatitis, A total of 153 patients were tested in this study between January 198l and August 1982. We have routinely attached 29 Hollister's standard batteries and 0. l% Tego, which is a commonly used antiseptic in our hospital, to the patients back. The tapes used were Leukotape and Finn chamber. Forty-eight hours after the tape had been attached, the patches were removed and read. The second reading was taken 24 or 48 hours after the patch had been removed. According to the results of this study, the most common allergens were cinnamic alcohol (11. 1%), ammoniated mercuric chloride (10. 5%), nickel sulfate (9. 2%), hydroxycitronellal(6. 5%), paraben mix(5. 9%), mercaptobenzothiazole(5. 9%) and thimerosal(5. 9%). In conclusion, cosmetics, metals, medicaments and rubber compounds were found to be the most common etiologic agents of contact dermatitis in this studyBackground and possible explanation of these rusults were discussed and a comparison was made between this report and others.