Treatment of nickel dermatitis with Antabuse; a double blind study

A double blind, placebo-controlled treatment with Antabuse was carried out in 24 patients with hand eczema and nickel allergy. The amount of Antabuse given was gradually increased from 50 to 200 mg daily. The maximum dose was given for 6 weeks. During the treatment period, the dermatitis of 5 out of 11 patients in the group treated with Antabuse healed, compared with 2 out of 13 in the group receiving the placebo. A statistical analysis was made of changes observed during the study, through the parameters: scaling, frequency of flares, erythema, area involved and number of vesicles. Differences in results obtained with Antabuse and the placebo were statistically significant only for the parameters scaling and frequency of flares (p less than 0.05). The difference between the sums of parameters following the 2 forms of treatment was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). 2 patients treated with Antabuse showed signs of hepatic toxicity; 1 of them had toxic hepatitis. No other significant side effects were seen.