title: Nonallergic reactions to medical tapes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adverse dermatologic reactions to tapes are a common problem in the medical field and can delay or alter patient care, but their prevalence, etiology, and management are poorly defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to make a distinction between true allergy and nonallergic tape reactions (NATRs) to medical tapes and to make recommendations for dermatologists in the approach to each.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the electronic medical record database at a large hospital system and a review of literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although tape allergy is reported by 0.3% of patients, true tape allergies are rare. More commonly, patients experience NATRs. True tape allergy and NATR are mechanistically distinct and can be distinguished from each other based on history. The approach to management of each is distinct.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Dermatology, Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: Sabrina M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zirwas
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D053832:Surgical Tape / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives