title: Evaluation of contact sensitivity in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to demonstrate the frequency of sensitivity to European standard patch test allergens in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal (EAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six female patients with the complaint of recurrent EAC itching and 30 female controls without pruritis of the ears were patch-tested with 25 allergens of the European standard series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four patients (25.5%) had one or more positive patch test reactions. In 21.4% of patients, nickel sulphate was the most frequent sensitizer, but there was no statistically significant difference in the nickel sensitization rate between patients and controls (p > .05). Sensitivity rates were much lower for the other allergens. There was no association between contact sensitivity to fragrances and to preservatives and patients with pruritis of the ears.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results do not demonstrate that most patients with pruritic ears probably suffer from allergic contact dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drbaranacar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Baran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Ayse Serap
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Karadag
authors.forename: Hayriye
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Babademez
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaim
authors.forename: Rıza Murat
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Karasen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*