An Evaluation of Patch Test among Hand Eczema Patients Attending Tertiary Care Center in South East Rajasthan

Hand eczema is one of the most common occupational dermatological condition. Chronicity and recurrence nature of hand eczema leads to loss of work and quality of life of workers. In order to identify the causative factor patch test could be relevant test.

To ascertain the etiology of hand eczema by performing patch test. To identify various morphological pattern and to know the various predisposing & exacerbating factors causing hand eczema.

Hundred patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested with ISS. The allergens were obtained from Systopic Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd., New Delhi. The standard patch testing technique using aluminium chambers was done and reactions were interpreted as recommended by ICDRG.

The results were tabulated and analyzed. Student t-test/chi square test will be applied at 5% level of significance to analyze the results of patch test by quantitative/qualitative characteristics of the patients.

Only 37 cases were positive to patch testing. Potassium bichromate was most common positive antigen in 16% cases, followed by Cobalt sulphate in 11% cases, nickel in 6% cases. Parthenium, Wool alcohol, Paraphenylenediamine, Colophony, Fragrance mix found positive in 3% cases each, Balsum of Peru in 2% cases. Formaldehyde, Thiuram mix, Mercaptobenzothiazole found positive in 1% cases each.

Patch test would be relevant test to identify the causative factors for Hand eczema especially those who have occupational risk factor. Patch test also helps in treatment and improvement of quality of life among workers.