Clinicoepidemiological and Patch Test Profile of Patients Attending the Contact Dermatitis Clinic of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India: A 7-Year Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a growing concern due to increased use of cosmetics and topical medications routinely and exposure to a large number of allergens on day-to-day basis. Patch testing is a reliable method for detecting the causative antigens in suspected cases. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the demographic profile, pattern of ACD, and patch test profile of suspected cases of ACD attending contact dermatitis clinic of our department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study in which all the data enrolled in the contact dermatitis clinic of our department over a 7-year period were analyzed. Patch testing was done using the Indian Standard Series of 20 antigens primarily, and other batteries were used depending on patient requirement and availability. RESULTS: A total of 582 patients were enrolled in the contact dermatitis clinic over a period of 7 years. Hand eczema was the most common pattern seen in 268 cases followed by feet eczema, hand and foot eczema, facial eczema, forearm and leg eczema and photoallergic contact eczema. A total of 177 patients (30.4%) gave positive patch test results, with nickel sulfate being the most common allergen identified followed by potassium dichromate, cobalt sulfate, paraphenylenediamine, neomycin sulfate, and fragrance mix. CONCLUSION: Common allergens identified in our study were more or less similar to studies from other parts of India. However, due to the unique climate of the valley, the profile of parthenium sensitivity was low in our study when compared to the rest of the country.