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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
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Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
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Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from systemic drugs.
Liesbeth Gilissen1,2, Emma Boeckxstaens3, Julie Geebelen3
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Dermato-Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Contact Dermatitis
|August 11, 2019
Summary
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) in healthcare workers (HCWs) can stem from systemic drugs. A study found 13% of OACD in HCWs was due to systemic drug contact, most commonly in nurses.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Occupational Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) and pharmaceutical industry professionals face risks of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD).
- Systemic drugs and their intermediates are identified as potential occupational allergens.
- Previous research highlights the need to identify specific agents causing OACD in these populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic profiles of patients with OACD.
- To identify specific systemic drugs causing OACD in patients undergoing contact allergy testing.
- To analyze the period between 2001 and 2019 for trends in drug-induced OACD.
Main Methods:
- Patch testing was performed on 9780 patients using the European baseline series and additional relevant allergens.
- Patients with positive patch-test reactions to systemic medications encountered at work were selected for analysis.
- Demographic data and specific drug sensitizations were recorded for included patients.
Main Results:
- Among 1248 HCWs, 201 (16.2%) had OACD, with 26 (13%) cases attributed to systemic drug contact.
- Nurses (19 cases) were most frequently affected, followed by pharmaceutical chemists (5 cases).
- Tetrazepam, ranitidine hydrochloride, and zolpidem were the most common sensitizing systemic drugs, with 45 positive reactions to 20 different drugs.
Conclusions:
- Systemic drugs are a significant cause of OACD in HCWs, accounting for 13% of cases in this study.
- Nurses represent the highest-risk group for drug-induced OACD.
- Early identification and avoidance of occupational drug exposure are crucial for preventing OACD in HCWs.
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