Skin Rashes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Rashes, including details on dermatitis, itches, creams, medication, treatment.

Changing trends and allergens in the patch test standard series: a mayo clinic 5-year retrospective review, january 1, 2001, through december 31, 2005.

Davis MD, Scalf LA, Yiannias JA, Cheng JF, El-Azhary RA, Rohlinger AL, Farmer SA, Fett DD, Johnson JS, Linehan DL, Richardson DM, Schroeter AL, Connolly SM

Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. davis.mark2@mayo.edu

OBJECTIVE: To present and interpret results of patch testing with the Mayo Clinic standard series over 5 years. DESIGN: Retrospective study. A standardized patch testing technique was used. Data were recorded on a standardized computer program from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2005, and analyzed. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who were referred for patch testing. INTERVENTION: Patch testing with the "standard series," ie, a standard series of allergens used by most clinicians to identify the most common offending allergens in patients with allergic contact dermatitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of patients patch tested, allergens used over this period, and rates of allergic patch test reactions to allergens. RESULTS: A total of 3854 patients (mean age, 55.1 years; age range, 6.2-99.4 years; 2576 female [66.8%]) were tested. All dermatologists in the department performed patch testing. The mean number of allergens included was 69.3 (range, 6-87). There were 2664 patients with at least 1 positive reaction (69.1%) and 1933 with 2 or more positive reactions (50.2%). Metals, fragrances, topical antibiotics, preservatives, and individual allergens used in hair-care products, topical corticosteroids, glues, plastics, and rubber were still the most common allergen groups associated with allergic patch test reactions. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the structure of the patch testing service at our referral center. Ongoing analysis of our patch test reaction rates allows us to recommend broad, clinically relevant, and up-to-date allergens for testing.

Published 22 January 2008 in Arch Dermatol, 144(1): 67-72.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Rashes Research Today. All Rights Reserved.