Results of patch testing with a standard series of allergens at Manipal

The study was designed to determine the common sensitizers in allergic contact dermatitis, to evolve a standard patch test tray for screening patients at our centre and to suggest allergens for a multicentric trial in India. 212 patients (65 women, 147 men) were patch tested with a standard series of allergens (23 allergens of European standard series extended with lanolin, cresol and gentamycin). The frequent sensitizers observed were gentamycin (14.2%), potassium dichromate (11.3%), nickel sulphate (10.8%), quinoline mix (9.0%), neomycin (8.5%) cobalt (7.1%), colophony (6.6%) and fragrance mix (6.1%). No positive reactions were observed for lanolin, quaternium - 15 and mercaptomix. Our standard tray will thus consist of all the allergens of European standard series except primin along with lanolin, cresol and gentamycin. Lanolin is included despite negativity as it was found to be the commonest sensitizer among topical medications in our previous study.