Glove-related contact dermatitis: diagnostic value of a repeated application test

Abstract

Background. Gloves are frequently the cause of occupational hand dermatitis and are responsible for irritant (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The diagnosis of ACD is based on patch tests to gloves (PTg), semi-open tests to gloves (SOg), and patch tests to glove allergens (PTal). Objective. The aim was to define the contribution of a glove repeated application test (GRAT) in the diagnosis strategy of glove-related contact dermatitis. Methods. This retrospective study included patients with hand eczema who wore gloves and who completed a GRAT in the context of allergological explorations. It consisted of applying a piece of the glove maintained by a non-adhesive strip during 10 consecutive nights on the same area of the anterior face of the forearm. Results. Ten patients were diagnosed with ACD to gloves. This diagnosis was made on positive SOg, PTg, GRAT and PTal for 2 patients, positive PTal and GRAT for 3 patients, positive SOg and GRAT for 2 patients, positive GRAT alone for 2 patients, positive PTal alone for 1 patient. The GRAT had better sensitivity than the other tests. Conclusion. GRAT seems useful in the diagnostic strategy of glove contact dermatitis and could be proposed when the diagnosis of glove-related contact dermatitis is suspected.