Allergic contact dermatitis from hydrocolloid dressings.
BACKGROUND
Hydrocolloid wound dressings have been in use for nearly two decades, and have rarely caused allergic contact dermatitis. DuoDERM E (DuoDERM CGF) is a newer version of DuoDERM (ConvaTec Ltd, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Princeton, NJ) that contains a sensitizing derivative of colophony.


OBJECTIVE
We describe three patients who developed eczematous lesions under this type of wound covering.


METHODS
The patients were patch tested to the European standard series, to a glues and adhesives series, and to pieces of various adhesive dressings.


RESULTS
The patients displayed positive patch tests to colophony and to DuoDERM E or DuoDERM CGF hydrocolloid dressings.


CONCLUSIONS
These dressings contain the pentaerythritol ester of hydrogenated rosin as a tackifying agent, and this substance retains the sensitizing potential of colophony. The addition of this compound is an important change that may negatively alter the good safety record of ConvaTec dressings.
Sasseville
D
D
Division of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Tennstedt
D
D
Lachapelle
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D003102:Colloids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects
D003102:Colloids; C087325:Granuflex E; D012116:Resins, Plant; C013893:rosin; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium