A Case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Due to DuoDERM Extrathin®

Abstract

Over the past years, hydrocolloid dressings have been introduced routinely in the treatment of various types of wounds. They provide a moist environment promoting autolytic debridement, and stimulate angiogenesis. However, long-term application often leads to inflammation of the skin in the immediate area of the ulcer, causing irritant dermatitis in many cases, but sometimes also leads to contact sensitization. A 32 year-old woman burnt herself by an iron, and presented to our clinic and was treated with Duoderm extrathin®. Nine days later, she again presented with an erythematous oozing patch with edema, and allergic contact dermatitis was suspected. A patch test (TRUE test) was performed and a positive reaction to colophonium was obtained. Duoderm extrathin® contains hydrogenated rosin (colophonium) as the tackifying agent, so we could diagnose this case as allergic contact dermatitis due to the hydrogenated rosin in Duoderm extrathin®. We report another case of allergic contact dermatitis due to Duoderm extrathin® in a 32 year-old woman.

Keywords: Allergic contact dermatitis; Colophony.

Fig. 1

A well-demarcated erythematous vesicular patch was observed on the shin.

Fig. 2

Positive reaction to colophony in the patch test. Ninety six hours later, an erythematous patch with vesicles and papules was seen on the colophony site.