Frequency of dermatitis medicamentosa in patients of eczema

Aim: to study the frequency of dermatitis medicamentosa in pts of contact eczema with patch test study design: descriptive case series setting: dermatology department unit-i,kemu/ mayo hospital,lahore from 1-1-2011 to 30-6-2011. methodology: a total of 100 patients of eczema of either sex,age 12 or more were selected for this study. patch test was performed after complete resolution of signs & symptoms and after complete withdrawal of drugs. patch test was done with european baseline & medicament series. readings were taken on 48,72,120 hours & on 7th day. test reactions were assessed according to international contact dermatitis research group criteria. data analysis was done according to age,sex and positive patch test reactions. result: contact sensitivity to topical medicaments in patients of eczema was found to be 21%. medicaments in medicament series showed 17% and in baseline series showed 11% results. most common allergens (medicament) detected were neomycin sulfate 10%,bacitracin 9%,& framycetin sulfate 9%. conclusions: almost one-fifth patients of eczema showed contact sensitivity to medicaments (21%). commonest allergens detected were bacitracin,framycetin sulfate,neomycin sulfate,econazole,nitrofurazone & clioquinol. various other allergens were also found but in less frequency. most common distribution of eczema according to site seen was hand and foot dermatitis followed by only feet and only leg dermatitis.patch test should be performed in all patients of eczema who do not respond to topical medicines or have a chronic or recalcitrant history.