Patch Test Reactions Associated With Topical Medications: A Retrospective Analysis of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data (2001–2018). Issue 2 (2nd March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warshaw, Erin M.; Shaver, Rob L.; DeKoven, Joel G.; Taylor, James S.; Atwater, Amber R.; Fransway, Anthony F.; Maibach, Howard I.; Belsito, Donald V.; Silverberg, Jonathan I.; Houle, Marie-Claude; Reeder, Margo J.; Zug, Kathryn A.; Fowler, Joseph F.; Sasseville, Denis; Pratt, Melanie D.; Dunnick, Cory A.; DeLeo, Vincent A.
• Is Part Of: Dermatitis. Volume 33:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 144
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2022-03-02
• Subjects: Skin -- Inflammation -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Dermatitis, Contact -- Periodicals; Dermatitis, Atopic -- Periodicals; Dermatitis, Occupational -- Periodicals; Drug Eruptions -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1710-3568

Abstract

Abstract : Background/Objectives: Topical medications may lead to allergic contact dermatitis. This study characterized positive patch test reactions associated with medications in patients evaluated by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG). Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of the NACDG data (2001–2018). Patients with at least 1 positive patch test reaction associated with a medication source were included. Allergens, reaction characteristics, clinical relevance, and source details were tabulated. Results: Of 43, 722 patients, 6374 (14.6%) had positive allergic patch test reactions associated with 1 or more topical medication sources. Patients with versus without allergic reactions to medications were more likely to be older than 40 years ( P < 0.0001) and/or have primary sites of dermatitis on the legs, anal/genital region, or trunk ( P < 0.0001). There were 8787 reactions to NACDG allergens; the most common were neomycin (29.4%), bacitracin (29.1%), propylene glycol 100% (10.6%), tixocortol-17-pivalate (10.0%), lidocaine (7.9%), budesonide (4.9%), and dibucaine (4.4%). Propylene glycol 100% was the most common inactive ingredient (10.6%). Current relevance was present in 61.0%. A total of 6.5% of the individuals with medication allergy would have had 1 or more positive patch test reactions missed if only tested to the NACDG screening series. Conclusions: Positive patch test reactions associated with topical medications were common (14.6%), and most were clinically relevant. Patients with topical medication allergy were twice as likely to have anal/genital involvement. Active ingredients, especially neomycin, bacitracin, and tixocortol-17-pivalate, were frequent culprits.