Contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine.
In a 3-year period, 551 patients were patch tested with chlorhexidine gluconate 1% in water. 14 patients showed a strong and obviously relevant reaction. A severe dermatitis developed during treatment with a chlorhexidine preparation in 10 patients with venous or traumatic ulcers of the leg, and in 4 patients with skin infection on the face and/or scalp. So far the sensitizing potential of chlorhexidine has probably been underestimated.
D000368:Aged; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy
D002710:Chlorhexidine