Allergic contact dermatitis caused by 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate in a hospital wristband

1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate (1,6-HDDA) is a multifunctional acrylate and a potent sensitizer.

To report a case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by 1,6-HDDA in a hospital wristband.

A male patient presented with eczema on his wrist where he had worn a hospital wristband. Patch testing was performed with our extended European baseline series, additional series, and pieces of the hospital wristband. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed with extracts from the wristband and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for chemical analysis.

Positive reactions were found to pieces of the wristband, including adhesive rim (+++), inside (+++), and outside (++); to multiple allergens in the (meth)acrylates series; and to extracts of the wristband in acetone and ethanol. Chemical analysis of the ethanol extract showed presence of lauryl acrylate and 1,6-HDDA. Patch testing with TLC strips and subsequent chemical analysis showed that the substance causing the strongest reaction was 1,6-HDDA, to which the patient had a confirmed positive patch test reaction.

1,6-HDDA was identified as the culprit allergen responsible for allergic contact dermatitis caused by the hospital wristband.