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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation
Published on: March 24, 2023
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from tetrazepam in nurses
Kim Vander Hulst1, Stefan Kerre, An Goossens
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, K.U.Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Background:
Tetrazepam is a muscle relaxant belonging to the benzodiazepine group. Drug eruptions following ingestion of tetrazepam tablets are well known.
Objective:
To draw the attention to occupational airborne dermatitis and/or hand dermatitis in nurses resulting from crushing of tablets for elderly or disabled people.
Methods:
Since 2003, 16 nurses with facial (eyelid) and/or hand dermatitis, suspected to be of occupational origin, were patch tested with the medication they handled during work.
Results:
Ten nurses presented with a positive patch test reaction to tablets containing tetrazepam, 14 controls remaining negative. Some of them also reacted to other drugs.
Conclusion:
Occupational airborne and/or hand contact dermatitis from tetrazepam might be much more common than suspected by dermatologists, particularly in view of the short period in which all cases have been observed.
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