Patch test reaction on Ethiopian subjects with eczema

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Allergic contact dermatitis affects 1-10% of the population, with rising environmental allergen exposure.
• Patch testing is crucial for identifying allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis.
• Ethiopia lacks a standardized allergen series for patch testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish baseline data for common allergens in Ethiopia.
• To inform the development of a standardized patch testing series for the region.

Main Methods:

• 181 eczema patients underwent patch testing.
• 17 selected allergens from Chemotechnique Diagnostics AB were used.
• Standard patch testing procedures were followed.

Main Results:

• Over 60% of subjects showed positive patch test reactions.
• Nickel was the most frequent allergen, followed by fragrance mix and butylphenolformaldehyde.
• Females exhibited a higher incidence of positive reactions.

Conclusions:

• A significant prevalence of positive patch test reactions was observed.
• Implementing patch testing in Ethiopia is vital for allergic contact dermatitis management.