Abstract
A 51-year-old woman diagnosed with hand eczema underwent patch testing with 24 metals (15 water-based and 9 petrolatum-based allergens). The metals were applied to the back for 2 days using the following patch test units : the 15 water-based allergens were applied by Patch tester Torii, and the 9 petrolatum-based allergens were applied by Finn Chamber. The results were evaluated by the ICDRG scoring system. All 15 water-based metals showed positive reactions (+ : ICDRG scoring system) 2, 3, and 7 days after application. Patch testing of all metals was then repeated with the Finn Chamber, and saline, purified water, and petrolatum were applied by Patch tester Torii. We observed negative reactions to all metals, purified water, and petrolatum, and an irritant reaction to saline 7 days after application. Many of the positive reactions observed after the first testing were not considered to be “excited skin syndrome”, due to the similar level of all reactions observed and no detection of strong sensitization after the second patch test. We suspect that sweat may have played a role in these pseudo-positive reactions. Although such reactions seem to be very rare, our results suggest the importance of reproducibility in patch testing.
