[Allergic contact dermatitis to commonly used antiseptics in clinical settings]

Antiseptics are widely used in medical and daily settings. They are essential for preventing infections and ensuring safety during surgical procedures, wound care, and even hand hygiene. However, their repeated or prolonged use can cause allergic reactions, including irritant and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). It is important to recognize contact allergy to antiseptics and differentiate it from an infectious complication in postoperative or traumatic wounds. Patch testing is crucial for confirming a contact allergy and identifying the responsible allergen(s) especially if the antiseptic contains multiple active substances and preservatives/excipients in addition to the main antiseptic compound. This article describes the structures and the potential allergenic effects of the main antiseptics used in the medical environment.