Contact Dermatitis Hands

Abstract

Seventy one patients suspected to be having contact dermatitis exclusively of the hands were patch tested with various antigens and 57 of them showed positive reaction to one or more substances. Females outnumbered males and housewives were the commonest victims. Vegetables were the most frequent contactants followed by soaps and detergents, medicaments, metals and others. Amongst the vegetables, garlic and onion were the most potent sensitizers. In majority of the patients occupational substances were the causative allergens leading to hand dermatitis.