Perianal Dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Perianal complaints are often consulted in dermatology clinics, and in many cases, a conclusive diagnosis is not easily made.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study and identify the epidemiological, clinical, and contact allergy features of patients with perianal dermatitis who attended at a contact dermatitis unit in a tertiary hospital in Spain.


METHODS
Adult patients with long-lasting (>4 weeks) perianal dermatitis were recruited during the past 10 years for investigation and follow-up. Every patient underwent a diagnostic workup consisting of dermatological exploration and patch tests with the standard and specific series, as well as the patients' own products. General surgical exploration was also performed in some patients.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-four patients were included. The MOAHLFA index was as follows: 43.5, 0, 4.8, 11.3, 1.6, 8.1, and 75. The main final diagnoses were allergic contact dermatitis (32.3%), psoriasis (24.2%), irritant contact dermatitis (17.7%), and lichen simplex (neurodermatitis) (10%). Eighty-one patients (66.1%) showed 1 or more positive reactions, and in 52 patients (43%), positive reactions relevant to the present disease were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Contact allergy in patients with long-lasting perianal complaints is frequent. It is mandatory for these patients to be referred to a dermatologist for an adequate evaluation and patch testing. Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone seems as the most common allergen implicated in perianal contact dermatitis.
From the Department of Dermatology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Alfredo-Daniel
AD
Agulló-Pérez
Marcos
M
Hervella-Garcés
Saioa
S
Oscoz-Jaime
Maialen
M
Azcona-Rodríguez
Mónica
M
Larrea-García
Juan-Ignacio
JI
Yanguas-Bayona
D000328:Adult; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010502:Perineum; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult