Contact dermatitis: clinical review of 800 patients tested using the standard European series

The results of the use of the European Standard Series on 800 patients suffering from Contact Dermatitis, including occupational Dermatosis is reported. This work also attempts to provide insight into the interests and difficulties of carrying out an epidemiological study in an Allergy Centre and Immunology Clinic. All the patients underwent a Patch Test following the guidelines laid out by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. The results of the patch tests were positive in 462 patients (57.7%) and negative in 338 cases (42.3%). The agents responsible for the symptoms in our study were as follows: metals (33%), parafenilen-diamine (13.9%), cobalt (13.3%), perfumes (5.5%), benzocaine (5.4%) and potassium dichromate (5.4%). In this study 72 patients were verified to have Occupational Dermatosis, corresponding mainly to the following occupational sectors: metal industry workers, hairdressers and bakers and pastry makers.