Potential Allergens in Medical Adhesives in Tapes, Wound Dressings, and Ostomy Care: A Scoping Review.

Background: Medical adhesives are increasingly reported, although still underestimated as causes of allergic contact dermatitis, for which identification of the sensitising culprits is often impossible, mainly because of non-declaration of components on medical device packaging and lack of cooperation from manufacturers.

Objectives: To report on the allergens identified in medical adhesives in tapes, wound dressings, and ostomy care.

Methods: The relevant literature (1980-2024) on sensitization sources and allergens was analysed and the results reported.

1,6-Hexanediol Diacrylate, Isocyanates and Other Skin Sensitizers Are Emerging Contact Allergens in Guardian Glucose Sensors.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from diabetes devices remains a significant concern.

Objective: To report ACD from Guardian 3 and 4 glucose sensors (G3/4 sensors) due to multiple skin sensitizers, that is, isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and also 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), isocyanates, colophonium derivatives, tert-butylphenols (TBPs) and salicylates.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ACD from G3/4 sensors, evaluated between January 2020 and December 2024, were patch-tested to a baseline, acrylate, isocyanate and plastics and glue series.

Sensitization Patterns to Cyanoacrylate-Based Surgical Glues.

Background: Surgical glues are increasingly used, offering advantages like reduced scarring and faster wound closure. However, they pose risks of localised and disseminated allergic contact dermatitis caused by cyanoacrylate monomers.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate sensitisation patterns to cyanoacrylate-based surgical glues, the usefulness of testing with the commercially available ethyl cyanoacrylate, and cross-reactions between cyanoacrylates and (meth)acrylates.

Frequent Positive Patch Test Reactions to Glucosides in Children: A Call for Caution?

Background: Alkyl glucosides are surfactants commonly found in cosmetics and household products. However, data on glucoside contact allergy in paediatric populations is limited.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, relevance and clinical characteristics of contact allergy to glucosides in children.

Tert-butylhydroquinone and tert-butylcatechol positivity as warning lights of skin sensitization to tert-butylphenol derivatives in adhesives and diabetes devices.

Introduction: Tert-butylphenol (TBP) derivatives, antioxidants in adhesives and diabetes devices, may provoke allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Objectives: The objective of this study is to report sensitization to TBP derivatives in medical devices and to highlight that tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) and tert-butylcatechol (TBC) are potential screeners in this regard.

Methods: Fifteen patients with ACD from adhesives and diabetes devices were patch tested to different TBPs: BHQ 1% pet.

It is not always chlorhexidine: Identification of benzoxonium chloride and lauramine oxide as culprit allergens in a popular antiseptic in Switzerland.

Background: A popular antiseptic spray in Switzerland (Merfen spray), containing chlorhexidine digluconate, benzoxonium chloride and lauramine oxide, is frequently used to treat skin wounds. However, it is also increasingly reported as a major cause of adverse skin reactions, including allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Objectives: To investigate the contact allergens responsible for ACD from this antiseptic.