Allergic contact dermatitis in the United Arab Emirates

Background No data exist on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aim Our aim was threefold: (i) to determine the incid ence of ACD; (ii) to identify responsible allergens using the European Stan dard Series, TRUE TEST, and other substances; (iii) to tentatively explore population-specific reactions in Al Ain, UAE. Design This is a prospective, descriptive, hospital-based, study. Setting Tawam Hospital, Al Ain Medical District, UAE. Patients During the years 1989-1996, 373 patients (male : female = 2.3), pr esenting with cutaneous manifestations possibly related to contact allergy, were patch tested. Results 93.8% of patients presented with dermatitis affecting mostly the ha nds (45.1%), feet (21.4%), face (12.6%), and legs (4.6%). Two hundred and t wenty-four patients (60%) (male:female = 1:2) tested positive for at least one substance. Nicker was the commonest sensitizer (15%) in both genders. " Fragrance mix" (8%), p-tertiary butylphenolformaldehyde (p-TBPF) resin (7.5 %), thiomersal (7.5%), chromium (7.2%), cobalt (6.4%), ethylenediamine (6.4 %), neomycin (5.1%), and parabens (5.1%) were prominent allergens. Glutardi aldehyde, an additional substance tested together with the European Standar d Series. scored significantly (4.8%). Variations from the results reported from other countries may be explained by the specific lifestyles and custo ms of the UAE population. Conclusions Substances contained in the TRUE TEST, plus glutardialdehyde, m ay be considered as the standard series for patch testing in the UAE popula tion.