Allergic contact dermatitis from cetrimide after preoperative skin preparation.

Cetrimide has been largely used as a disinfectant in hospitals for preoperative skin preparation and treatment of operative wounds and inoperable ulcerated tumors for many years. Two cases of allergic contact dermatitis to cetrimide are described. They were disinfected with cetrimide in the operating theatre. Allergic contact dermatitis to quaternary compounds are seldom described. Usually the commonest sensitizer is benzalkonium chloride used in ophthalmic solutions and as a disinfectant for leg ulcer treatment.