title: The therapeutic use of topical contact sensitizers in benign dermatoses.
abstract: Topical therapy using contact sensitizers has been practised since the 1960s to treat conditions associated with an altered immunological state. Dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutyl ester and diphencyprone are most commonly employed in the therapy of alopecia areata and viral warts. Few dermatology departments in the U.K. provide such treatment. This systematic review discusses the various contact sensitizers used for topical immunotherapy, the methodology of treatment, factors influencing efficacy and likely adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. dbuckley@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Du Vivier
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000628:therapy*; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000276:immunology; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007509:Irritants / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D014860:Warts / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D007509:Irritants; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone