Results of patch testing in 10 patients with peristomal dermatitis

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. e91 - e104
• Main Authors: Landis, Megan N., MD, Keeling, James H., MD, Yiannias, James A., MD, Richardson, Donna M., RN, Nordberg Linehan, Diane L., RN, Davis, Mark D.P., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01-09-2012
• Subjects: Aged; Allergens; allergic contact; dermatitis; Dermatitis, Contact - immunology; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ostomy; Patch Tests; Retrospective Studies; surgical stomas; Surgical Stomas - adverse effects; allergic contact; surgical stomas; dermatitis; patch tests; allergens; ostomy
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.07.009

Background Peristomal dermatitis is a common problem in patients with ostomies that is a source of considerable morbidity. Irritant contact dermatitis is most common, but allergic contact dermatitis can also occur. Because of the lack of published reports on patch testing for this indication, we undertook a retrospective study of patch testing results in patients with suspected peristomal allergic contact dermatitis. Objective We sought to describe our patch testing experience with patients referred with peristomal dermatitis. Methods This was a retrospective review of medical records of patients with ostomies and peristomal dermatitis who underwent patch testing in the Mayo Clinic Departments of Dermatology in Jacksonville, FL; Rochester, MN; and Scottsdale, AZ, during a 10-year period (2000-2010). Results Ten patients with peristomal dermatitis were referred for patch testing (6 in Minnesota, 2 in Florida, and 2 in Arizona). Patients were patch tested to the materials used in their stoma devices, to the standard series, and in some cases to supplemental series. All 10 had at least one allergic patch test reaction, most commonly to stoma paste (3 of 10 patients). Limitations Retrospective nature of study via chart review is a limitation. Conclusion Patch testing is a useful tool for identification of allergens in patients with peristomal dermatitis.