Sensitization and development of allergic contact dermatitis caused by a single contact with an electrosurgical grounding plate containing acrylates.

Acrylates are known as potent sensitizers which can cause sensitization even during patch testing. A single exposure to concentrated acrylates can induce primary sensitization and contact dermatitis. Here we describe a 50-year-old man who developed contact dermatitis at the site of an electrosurgical grounding plate 2 weeks after orthopedic surgery. Patch testing revealed positive reactions to the electrosurgical plate and its components hydroxyethyl acrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate. As the patient has never had contact with acrylate-containing materials before, there is a high probability of primary sensitization by a single contact with the grounding plate during surgery.