Abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most frequent occupational skin diseases. Targeted allergen avoidance can only be achieved by identification of the causative allergen. Therefore, patch testing is of utmost importance in occupational dermatology, not only in terms of assessing causal relationships but also regarding the implementation of prevention measures and evaluation of the legal criteria for an occupational skin disease in Germany (statutory occupational disease BK 5101). The lack of commercial patch test preparations poses a great diagnostic challenge. Patch testing of patient’s own materials from their workplace is therefore very important to reduce diagnostic gaps. The performance and documentation of the patch test should be in line with current guidelines and recommendations to ensure the necessary test quality and comprehensibility of the test results.

Author Details

Authors

• Richard Brans¹,²
• Christoph Skudlik¹,²

Departments

• ¹ Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatologic Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm) at the Osnabrück University, and
• ² Institute for Health Research and Education, Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany

Address

Prof. Dr. med. Richard Brans, Institut für interdisziplinäre Dermatologische Prävention und Rehabilitation (iDerm) an der Universität Osnabrück, Institut für Gesundheitsforschung und Bildung (IGB), Abteilung Dermatologie, Umweltmedizin und Gesundheitstheorie, Universität Osnabrück, Am Finkenhügel 7a, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
Email: [email protected]

Citation