Allergic dermatitis caused by povidone iodine: an uncommon complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Allergic dermatitis around the catheter exit site, caused by topical antiseptics such as povidone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate, is an uncommon complication in patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD). As yet, published reports concerning this rare non catheter-related complication are few. The frequency of this type of dermatitis is not known, because reports of isolated cases constitute the only source of information. Here, we report our clinical experience with 2 patients (2.3%) among the 86 children with end-stage renal disease who underwent CPD treatment at our center during the period between November 1995 and December 2004. These 2 pediatric patients developed allergic contact dermatitis, with extensive patchy and linear erythema around the exit-site area because of administration of povidone iodine solution. The symptoms subsided within a week in both patients after daily topical application of normal saline solution was started. Allergic dermatitis caused by povidone iodine at the site of the catheter exit should be kept in mind as a complication in patients on CPD. Antiseptic solutions should be used cautiously in these patients.