Characteristics of contact allergens in patients with allergic skin diseases: based on 883 patch tests

Abstract

Objective To investigate the characteristics of contact allergens in patients with allergic skin diseases (ASDs) in western Guangdong. Methods Patch test results of 883 patients with ASDs were retrospectively analyzed. The positive rates of patch test were compared among genders, age groups and ASD diagnosis. Results The patch test was positive in 751 cases (751/883, 85.05%). The top six allergens in a descending order were nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, thiomersal, carba mix, aromatic mix, and quaternium-15. The positive rates of potassium dichromate and thiomersal were higher in males than in females (both P59 years (P0.05). Conclusions Nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, thiomersal, carba mix, aromatic mix, and quaternium-15 are main allergens of ASDs in our district. The patch test positivity varies with gender and age.

Keywords

• allergic skin diseases
• patch test
• allergen