ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS FROM COLOR FILM DEVELOPERS - CLINICAL ANDHISTOLOGIC FEATURES

We evaluated two patients with allergic contact dermatitis that result ed from exposure to color film developers. A lichenoid eruption develo ped in one patient, whereas an eruption more characteristic of an acut e spongiotic dermatitis developed in the second patient. Histologic fi ndings in the first case were those of a ''lichenoid dermatitis'' but with features distinct from classic lichen planus. The biopsy specimen s from the second patient showed a subacute spongiotic process with a bandlike infiltrate suggestive of an evolving lichenoid process. Conta ct allergy to color developers may result in eruptions similar to lich en planus. This process appears to evolve from an acute spongiotic der matitis in its early phase to a lichenoid dermatitis in fully develope d and more chronic forms. Although the histologic features are those o f a ''lichenoid'' dermatitis, some features, such as the presence of s pongiosis, eosinophils, and a less intense inflammatory infiltrate, ma y enable distinction between lichenoid allergic contact dermatitis and true lichen planus. In addition, clinicopathologic correlation with p atch test results should permit accurate diagnosis in most cases.