title: Allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates in disposable blue diathermy pads.
abstract: We report 2 cases of elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates from disposable blue diathermy pads used on patients who underwent routine surgery. Their reactions were severe, and took approximately 5 weeks to resolve. Both patients gave a prior history of finger tip dermatitis following the use of artificial sculptured acrylic nails, which is a common, but poorly reported, cause of acrylate allergy. Patch testing subsequently confirmed allergies to multiple acrylates present in both the conducting gel of disposable blue diathermy pads, and artificial sculptured acrylic nails. We advocate careful history taking prior to surgery to avoid unnecessary exposure to acrylates in patients already sensitized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Contact Dermatitis, Amersham Hospital, Buckinghamshire, UK.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D003972:Diathermy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates