eISSN: 2299-0046
ISSN: 1642-395X
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii
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1/2021
vol. 38
 
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Letter to the Editor

Analysis of patch testing in patients with hand eczema at Shenzhen from 2016 to 2019

Yanhua Liang
1
,
Xiaomin Zhang
1
,
Jingna Zhu
1
,
Faizan Ali
1
,
Huihui Mo
1

1.
Department of Dermatology, Cosmetology and Venereology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Adv Dermatol Allergol 2021; XXXVIII (1): 170-172
Online publish date: 2021/03/10
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The skin is a vital organ that separates the body from its surrounding environment. Therefore, it is vulnerable to environmental triggers including physical, chemical, and biological aggression which may cause diseases such as eczema. Hand eczema (HE) is a broad term used to describe inflammation of the hands. The eruptions may include erythema, infiltration, papules, vesicles and edema in the acute stage while, in the chronic stage, crusting, scaling, hyperkeratosis and fissures will be the dominating symptoms [1]. Subjective symptoms include itching, burning, pain, sleep and mood disturbances [2]. HE is a common chronic disease with a 1-year prevalence of approximately 5–8% in the adult population [2], and it has a higher incidence rate in women as compared with men. HE has a significant long-lasting negative impact on quality of life and presents an economic burden for the society [3]. HE is most commonly classified as irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) or allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) [4]. ACD is an eczematous dermatitis caused by a type four hypersensitivity reaction of the skin, while ICD is a nonspecific reaction that occurs after an irritant comes in contact with skin [5]. These 2 types of dermatitis are often indistinguishable clinically. In daily life, the allergic factors may not be noticed by patients, however, as a result of prolonged and repeated exposures, HE develops. Using a standard series of allergens can be helpful in testing when it is impossible to identify an offending agent despite a careful history and clinical examination. Patch testing is the “gold standard” to identify culprit allergen(s) causing ACD [6]. Performing patch testing early upon the disease onset has been demonstrated to be cost effective, and previous studies have shown that patch testing allows for identification of relevant allergens, early resolution of symptoms, and, ultimately, improved quality of life in affected individuals [7].
A retrospective study was conducted involving 977 patients with HE who visited Shenzhen Hospital of the Southern Medical University over a 4 years and 3 months, from January 2016 to December 2019. A detailed record of each patient was taken which included the history of occupational and personal exposure to chemicals, history of atopy, thorough examination of the affected area, its morphology and final diagnosis. Test substances were applied on the upper part of the patients’ back with adhesive strips for patch test. The...


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