Potential Allergens in Medical Adhesives in Tapes, Wound Dressings, and Ostomy Care: A Scoping Review

Medical adhesives are increasingly reported, although still underestimated as causes of allergic contact dermatitis, for which identification of the sensitising culprits is often impossible, mainly because of non-declaration of components on medical device packaging and lack of cooperation from manufacturers.

To report on the allergens identified in medical adhesives in tapes, wound dressings, and ostomy care.

The relevant literature (1980-2024) on sensitization sources and allergens was analysed and the results reported.

The main reported contact allergens present as tackifiers in the production of medical adhesive tapes and wound dressings are colophonium and derivatives, (meth)acrylates and isocyanates. 2-HEMA is a screening agent for contact allergy to acrylics, though other derivatives are important as well. Unexpectedly, d-limonene and other fragrance components were identified in so-called 'hypoallergenic', 'non-latex', or 'non-colophonium' containing materials, even in some types of colophonium itself. In ostomy adhesive pastes, besides colophonium and (meth)acrylates, various PMV/MA copolymer esters with different alkyl chain lengths (Gantrez-ES derivatives) are frequent sensitizers.