Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from ethyl cyanoacrylate

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Occupational Health
• Allergology

Background:

• Cyanoacrylate glues are common adhesives for industrial and medical applications.
• Occupational exposure to cyanoacrylates can lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
• Accurate diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is crucial for patient management.

Observation:

• An apprentice cobbler presented with allergic contact dermatitis attributed to ethyl cyanoacrylate glue.
• Initial patch testing using the Finn Chamber (aluminium) technique resulted in false-negative reactions.
• The same cyanoacrylate preparation yielded positive reactions when tested with Van der Bend chambers.

Findings:

• Ethyl cyanoacrylate was identified as the sensitizing monomer in the glue.
• Aluminium components in the Finn Chamber may interfere with patch testing for cyanoacrylate allergy.
• Van der Bend chambers provided accurate positive results, highlighting their utility.

Implications:

• The findings suggest a potential diagnostic challenge in identifying cyanoacrylate allergy using standard Finn Chambers.
• Clinicians should consider alternative patch testing methods, like Van der Bend chambers, for suspected cyanoacrylate sensitivity.
• This case underscores the importance of appropriate diagnostic tools in occupational dermatology.