Patch Testing With a Routine Screening Tray in North America, 1985 Through 1989: I. Frequency of Response

Abstract

Between August 1, 1985 and July 30, 1989 patch tests were performed on 4,055 patients with suspect contact dermatitis in 14 clinics in North America. Twenty-eight screening chemicals were used for these tests. The most common locations for the presenting dermatitis were hands, face, generalized, arms, and feet. The peak decanal age group was 21 to 30 years. Nearly half of the tested patients were found to have allergic contact dermatitis. Photodermatitis accounted for only 0.4% of the population. The proportion of responses to the various test chemicals is discussed.