[Patch testing in patients with leg ulcers with special regard to modern wound products].

BACKGROUND

Patients with leg ulcers often have contact sensitizations. Modern wound care products claim low allergic potential.

OBJECT: To analyze the patch test results in leg ulcer patients with focus on modern care wound products.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

95 leg ulcer patients were tested with the standard German patch test series as well as frequently used wound care products.

RESULTS

61% of the patients had at least one positive reaction. Most frequent reactions were seen with tert-butylhydroquinone, povidone iodine, balsam of Peru, a hydrogel, fragrance mix I and II, Amerchol L101 and gentamicin. There were 14 reactions to modern wound care products with highest sensitization rates for hydrocolloids and hydrogels. Patients sensitized to wound care products had significantly more positive patch test reactions.

CONCLUSION

There are sensitisations against modern wound care products, especially hydrogels. That should be considered in patch test of leg ulcer patients.