Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine and para-amino compounds in a 4-year-old boy: a very rare observation

Patch Testing to Chlorhexidine Digluconate, 1% Aqueous: North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2015-2020

Background: Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of chlorhexidine allergy and characterize positive patch test reactions. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients patch tested to chlorhexidine digluconate 1% aqueous by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2015-2020. Results: Of 14,731 patients tested to chlorhexidine digluconate, 107 (0.7%) had an allergic reaction; of these, 56 (52.3%) reactions were currently clinically relevant. Most (59%) reactions were mild (+), followed by strong (++, 18.7%) and very strong (+++, 6.5%). Common primary dermatitis anatomic sites in chlorhexidine-positive patients were hands (26.4%), face (24.5%), and scattered/generalized distribution (17.9%). Compared with negative patients, chlorhexidine-positive patients were significantly more likely to have dermatitis involving the trunk (11.3% vs 5.1%; P = 0.0036). The most commonly identified source category was skin/health care products (n = 41, 38.3%). Only 11 (10.3%) chlorhexidine reactions were occupationally related; of these, 81.8% were in health care workers. Conclusions: Chlorhexidine digluconate allergy is uncommon, but often clinically relevant. Involvement of the hands, face, and scattered generalized patterns was frequent. Occupationally related reactions were found predominantly in health care workers.

102 cases of sensitization to an antiseptic containing chlorhexidine digluconate/benzalkonium chloride/benzyl alcohol with different profiles of sensitization in adults and children

BACKGROUND

An aqueous antiseptic containing "chlorhexidine digluconate /benzalkonium chloride /benzyl alcohol" (CBB) is widely used in France. The only previous documented study dealing with allergic contact dermatitis to this antiseptic is one small case series in children. The French Vigilance Network for Dermatology and Allergy (REVIDAL-GERDA) has collected many cases in the last few years.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical and sensitization profiles of patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis to CBB.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients with contact dermatitis to CBB and positive tests to CBB and/or at least one of its components. All patients had to be tested with all components of CBB.

RESULTS

Seventy-one adults and thirty-one children were included. The lesions were extensive in 63 % of patients and 55% had delayed time to diagnosis. CBB patch tests were positive in 93.8% of cases. The allergen was identified in 97% of patients, mainly benzyl alcohol in adults (81.7%), and chlorhexidine digluconate in children (54.8%). 32.4% of the patients were sensitized to several components.

CONCLUSION

CBB is a cause of allergic contact dermatitis at all ages. The antiseptic's components should be tested. The sensitization profile seems to be different between adults and children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine in pediatric patients

Chlorhexidine is one of the most widely used antiseptics in our environment. Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine is common in adults, but is quite rare in the pediatric population. Its diagnosis is important because it can mimic other dermatoses common during childhood, and it can also lead to acute immediate hypersensitivity reactions following successive exposures.

Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine in a very young child

Allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine is an unusual condition, with sensitization in childhood rarely reported. We report the observation of allergic contact dermatitis to chlorhexidine in a 23-month-old boy.