Allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates in disposable blue diathermy pads
Sidhu, S.K.; Shaw, S.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 81(3): 187-190
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 10364952 Document Number: 501600
We report 2 cases of elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates from disposable blue diathermy pads used on patients who underwent routine surgery. Their reactions were severe, and took approximately 5 weeks to resolve. Both patients gave a prior history of finger tip dermatitis following the use of artificial sculptured acrylic nails, which is a common, but poorly reported, cause of acrylate allergy. Patch testing subsequently confirmed allergies to multiple acrylates present in both the conducting gel of disposable blue diathermy pads, and artificial sculptured acrylic nails. We advocate careful history taking prior to surgery to avoid unnecessary exposure to acrylates in patients already sensitized.