European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory eczematous skin disease. It is caused by chemicals or metal ions that exert toxic effects without inducing a T-cell response (contact irritants) or by small reactive chemicals that modify proteins and induce innate and adaptive immune responses (contact allergens). Aim and Objective of the study: The aim and objectives of the study is to assess the clinical pattern and etiological profile in the subjects affected by contact dermatitis. Materials and Methods: Study participants were recruited as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria for a period of 2 years. Patch testing performed 2 weeks after the active lesions subside using Indian standard battery. Patch is removed after 48 hrs. First reading is taken after an hour of patch removal and second reading is taken at the end of 96 hrs results are interpreted as per the ICDRG (International contact dermatitis research group) grading Pre-and post-patch testing photographs are taken for comparison. Results: We included a total of 60 subjects presented with ACD based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Out of which 60 total study subjects 26 (43.33%) were males and 34 (56.67%) were females. The mean age in years was 36.03±13.47 years. Paraphenylene diamine was found to be the most common allergen (20.58%), followed by Nickel, cobalt and fragrance. Nickel exclusively affects females. The other allergens frequently found positive among female were paraphenyline diamine (85.11%) and parthenium (66.67%). The most frequently encountered allergen among males was Dichromate (66.67%). Discussion and conclusion: Maximum cases belonged to 21-30 years age group. ACD most frequently affects housewives (30%) and labourers (16.67%). In 40.67% of the patients the allergen detected by patch test could be correlated with history and presentation of ACD. Potassium dichromate exclusively affected males. Nickel was the commonest allergen among females

Introduction
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory eczematous skin disease. It is caused by chemicals or
metal ions that exert toxic effects without inducing a T-cell response (contact irritants) or by
small reactive chemicals that modify proteins and induce innate and adaptive immune
responses (contact allergens).
Material and Methods
A total of 100 patients of contact dermatitis of either sex who attended the Out-Patient
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy at Tertiary care teaching hospital
over a period constituted the subject material for the present study. Inclusion Criteria:
Patients clinically suspected to have contact dermatitis. Patients with active dermatitis were
first treated and then subjected to patch testing so as to avoid false positivity and excited skin
syndrome (Angry back syndrome).
Result: In our study males (51%) outnumbered females (49%) in the study. Itching was the
most common symptom (98%) followed by burning and oozing (10%). In this study, most
commonly observed period was 1-5 years, as seen in 57% of the cases. Study sensitization to
one antigen was seen in 40% cases, to two antigens in 27% cases, three antigens in 2% cases.
Negative results observed in 31 % cases. Positive patch test results were noted commonly
among the following occupations were labour (85.71%), farmer (66.66%), housewife
(62.96%), mason (53.33%) cases respectively. Cosmetic allergens (P<0.0001) significantly
more common in females. Parthenium (P<0.05) significantly more common in males.
Conclusion
In our study, the commonest allergens in our patients from hospital adjoining places were
potassium bichromate, thiuram mix and parthenium in males, whereas nickel, fragrance mix
and kumkum in females. In view of the differences in clinical patterns, positivity rates etc.
reported from different parts of India, we owe it to our patients to clarify the epidemiology of
this important problem.