[Contact dermatitis caused by a peripheral intravenous catheter with metallic connector]

A case is reported of a 26-year-old woman who developed contact dermatitis due to a peripheral venous catheter. This catheter had a metal connector, made of nickel-brass. The patient had been admitted for uterine contractions and was to receive an infusion of salbutamol. Twelve hours after the catheter had been set up, she developed at the puncture site an acute inflammatory reaction, with oedema and bullae. She later admitted to having had a few "spots" when wearing a cheap metal bracelet. Skin tests with nickel (5% solution of nickel sulphate) confirmed the diagnosis. This case underlines the importance of looking for an allergic history in patients.