Patch tests with occupational contactants in nurses, doctors and dentists.

In this study, 333 nurses, 92 dentists and 167 doctors were investigated. Most positive patch tests obtained were unrelated to occupation. Nurses were most often sensitized to penicillins and, of the disinfectants, formaldehyde was the commonest cause of occupational dermatitis. Among dentists, the most common occupational allergens were eugenol and mercuric chloride. Among surgeons, as compared with physicians, there were frequent reactions to mercuric chloride and balsam of Peru, and a higher number of positive patch tests with other contactants. Among those sensitized to chromium, 4 doctors found that contact with chromic catgut was harmful. 6 other doctors were intolerant to surgical gloves. A number of nurses and doctors had an irritant contact dermatitis from chlorhexidine.