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Fingertip dermatitis in an ophthalmologist caused by proparacaine
1Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA.
Purpose:
To report the late diagnosis of allergic response to proparacaine hydrochloride in an ophthalmologist.
Method:
Case report. In a 49-year-old practicing ophthalmologist, the history, clinical findings of fingertip dermatitis, skin pathology, and skin patch testing are described.
Results:
Proparacaine, as the initiating agent, took almost 3 years to identify because of the unusual pattern of allergy. We explored numerous treatment options before identifying and removing the offending agent.
Conclusions:
Ophthalmologists may be exposed to proparacaine on a daily basis. This unique report heightens the awareness of this rare work-related complication.
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