Search

Background The major causative agents in allergic contact dermatitis of the foot may differ from country to country. Sufficient data on foot eczema in patients from Turkey are lacking. Objective To identify the clinically relevant contact allergens in foot eczema and determine the role of patch test series and patients' own materials in the detection of the responsible allergens. Methods Among 1753 patients patch tested between 1996 and 2012 in our clinic, 53 with suspected allergic foot eczema were enrolled in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Forty nine patients were patch tested with the extended European baseline series, 49 with supplemental series including rubber, leather, topical drugs, textile, cosmetic series containing preservatives and emulgators and varnish/plastic/glue series, and 37 with their own substances. Results Thirty of the 53 patch tested patients showing sensitization to at least one clinically relevant allergen were diagnosed with allergic foot eczema. The main eliciting agent was nitrofurazone ( n = 8), followed by leather shoe allergens, ie, potassium dichromate ( n = 6), p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin and formaldehyde, in the second range. Rubber shoe allergens were less frequently observed ( n = 3). In more than 1/3 of the patients, the causative agent could only be identified by testing the patient's own substances and/or supplemental series. Conclusion Nitrofurazone was the leading causative agent followed by leather shoe allergens. Pediatric patients were frequently sensitized with shoe allergens. Patch testing with patient's own substances had a critical value in the detection of the causative agent in a significant number of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are commonly used in the eastern regions of Turkey, especially in the treatment of rheumatic complaints. In addition, the use of various foods and drinks for cosmetic purposes is increasing among Turkish people. Despite this extensive use of alternative treatment methods for medical and cosmetic purposes, comprehensive research is still required due to the severe local and systemic adverse effects of these treatments. Here, cases of phyto contact dermatitis due to "Ranunculus kotchy boiss" and "Urtica" and irritant contact dermatitis associated with butter are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]