Contact dermatitis in UAE.

Twenty five cases (22 females) who attended the Dermatology out-patient in Dubai dermatology clinic, U.A.E were entered in this study. All of them complained of hand eczema which was diagnosed as contact dermatitis (C D) of the hands. The closed patch test technique was performed for all of them using the standard European battery containing 22 allergens. The results were interpreted and analyzed using the ICDG mode of interpretation after 48 and 96 hours, respectively. We found that nickel sensitivity represented the most common type of sensitivity in hand eczema in both citizens and expatriates living in Dubai, while parabens of perfumes represented the second common sensitizers. We think that patch testing in case of C D of hand is a very good tool for investigating hand eczema.