Journal
ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA
Volume 103, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v103.18428
Keywords
allergic contact dermatitis; colophonium; contact allergy; medical device; military personnel; occupational dermatitis
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This study investigated an outbreak of foot dermatitis in military conscripts following continuous use of medical adhesive tapes during a field exercise. The results showed that the subjects had contact allergy to the adhesive tapes and colophonium, a constituent of the tapes. The study highlights the importance of assessing possible side effects of medical devices before they are introduced to the market.
Medical adhesive tapes are commonly recommended for the prevention of friction blisters during hiking and military marches. The aim of this paper is to report on the results of investigations into an outbreak of taperelated foot dermatitis in 26 military conscripts following continuous use of medical adhesive tapes for several days during a field exercise. Patch tests were performed using baseline series and aimed testing was performed with colophonium-related substances and different medical adhesive tapes. Contact allergy to the adhesive tapes used was found in 20 (77%) subjects, and contact allergy to colophonium in 16 (61%). Chemical analysis detected colophonium-related substances in the culprit tapes. Compared with consecutive dermatitis patients investigated at our Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in the previous 10 years, conscripts with colophonium allergy had increased odds ratios for concomitant contact allergy to phenol formaldehyde resins and fragrance substances including hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool. The results show that prolonged use of medical adhesive tapes on intact skin carries a high risk for allergic contact dermatitis. Prior to their introduction on the market, medical devices should be assessed for possible side-effects.
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