Cutaneous reactions to surgical preparations and dressings

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Abstract
A prospective study of 100 surgical patients was undertaken to identify causes of contact dermatitis. Patch testing with the North American Contact Dermatitis Standard Series and additional agents used in the surgical preparation and dressing was performed in 11 patients with postoperative dermatitis or a history of tape allergy. Twelve patients were diagnosed as having irritant (mechanical) contact dermatitis. One patient had allergic contact dermatitis to benzoin postoperatively; another patient with a history of an adhesive tape reaction had a positive patch test to thiuram mix, rubber accelerators formerly present in adhesive tapes. Irritant contact dermatitis is a common problem in the surgical patient, while allergic contact dermatitis is less common, occuring in 2 of the 100 patients.