title: Evaluation of patch testing in patients with chronic vulvar symptoms.
abstract: The Dermogynaecology Clinic was established at the Mercy Hospital for Women in 1989. Since its inception, 700 patients have been investigated and 15% were clinically diagnosed as having contact dermatitis. Primary irritant dermatitis was regarded as the common cause but to investigate the place of contact allergy 50 patients were patch tested to a standard battery, medicaments, preservatives, corticosteroids and miscellaneous allergens. Twenty-one patients (42%) had a total of 44 positive tests. The most common positive reactions were to nickel (22%), cobalt (6%), fragrances (12%), caine mix (6%) and ethylenediamine (8%). Medicaments and fragrances were regarded as important allergens. Corticosteroid and imidazole allergy was not a problem in this series of patients.
authors.affiliation: Dermogynaecology Clinic, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brenan
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dennerstein
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Sfameni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Drinkwater
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scurry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010328:Patch Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens