Background Contact dermatitis can complicate the treatment of leg ulcers
and is an acquired phenomenon resulting from the use of topical
medications.
Objective To show the incidence of contact dermatitis reactions to
topical medications applied to leg ulcers and to evidence changing
trends in such reactions through comparison of two case series about 20
years apart.
Subjects and methods We studied two groups of patients with leg ulcers
that were patch tested with contact allergens in 1973-1974 and in
1994-1995.
Results One or more positive patch tests was present in 75% and 40% of
the patients, respectively. A decrease in the incidence of positive
reactions to neomycin, local anesthetics and parabens mix was seen in
1994-1995. The most important contact allergens in 1994-1995 were
fragrance mix, colophony and the excipients wool alcohols and amerchol.
Other relevant sensitizers were formaldehyde, neomycin and gentamycin.
Conclusion The changing trends in contact allergens over the last 20
years may be explained by changes in the components of topical agents
used for treatment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve
