Do positive nickel reactions increase nonspecific patch test reactivity?

The patch test reaction pattern in nickel-positive and -negative female patients was compared. Cobalt allergy was found in 24.8% of the positive patients. However, the occurrence of allergy to other common agents, i.e., neomycin, perfume mix, balsam of Peru and bacitracin, did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Even in patients allergic to nickel and cobalt simultaneously, the frequencies were comparable. Chromate and PPDA allergy was significantly commoner in nickel sensitive patients (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01). Erythematous or follicular reactions were seen most often to wood tars, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, cobalt, chromate and perfume mix. Reactions to propylene glycol and perfume mix were as frequent in both groups, whereas formaldehyde, cobalt and chromate caused reactions more often in nickel-positive patients (p less than 0.05) and wood tars in negatives (p less than 0.05). Follicular reactions developed especially in patients who were positive to nickel and cobalt. The total number of non-specific reactions was not overpresented in nickel sensitive patients, despite their multiple patch test reactivity.