Patients with vulval pruritus: patch test results.
BACKGROUND
Persistent vulval pruritus is a frequent problem and patients may not show signs of a primary vulval dermatosis. Allergic contact sensitivity is an important factor in such patients but may also occur as a secondary event in women with vulval dermatoses.


OBJECTIVE
We aim to describe women with vulval pruritus who were evaluated for vulval dermatoses. We patch tested to help define or exclude allergens.


METHODS
In a 3-year period, 50 women with vulval pruritus were examined for existence of vulval dermatosis. All the patients were patch tested to the European Baseline Series, medicaments, preservatives, vehicles, cosmetics and products they routinely used.


RESULTS
Ages of the patients ranged from 22 to 62 years (mean 39.9 +/- 9 years) and duration of the diseases ranged from 0.5-360 months (mean 56.1 +/- 65.6 months). 52% of the women had at least 1 positive patch test. 8 patients (16%) had 1 or more relevant allergic positive reactions. The relevant allergens were usually cosmetics, preservatives and medicaments.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with vulval pruritus were patch tested to help define or rule our allergens. Contact allergy incidence in these patients is high. The relevant allergens were usually cosmetics, preservatives and medicaments.
Utaş
Serap
S
Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey. sutas@erciyes.edu.tr
Ferahbaş
Ayten
A
Yildiz
Sinem
S
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000150:complications; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects; D011539:Pruritus Vulvae / Q000209:etiology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical