Patch and photopatch testing in chronic actinic dermatitis

Abstract

Photopatch tests in 47 patients with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) showed musk ambrette to be the only significant allergen in a standard photopatch test series. The incidence of positive patch tests to a standard series of contact allergens in this group was compared with 213 men over the age of 50 yr with eczema investigated in the contact clinic. Among the photosensitive patients, there was an increased incidence of reaction to thiuram-mix (CAD 10%; controls 3%), carba mix (CAD 6%; controls 1%), NiSO4 (CAD 6%; controls 2%) and vioform (CAD 10%; controls 0.5%). A decreased incidence of reaction to K2Cr2O7 (CAD 0%; controls 8%) and balsam of Peru (CAD 4%; controls 10%) was recorded.