Biomaterial Database

Allergic contact dermatitis due to benzalkonium chloride in plaster of Paris. 2001

D A Wong, and A B Watson

Department of Dermatology, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. dreg1@canc.rpa.cs.nsw.gov.au

Plaster of Paris (POP) bandages are extensively used for splinting and casting injured or surgically repaired body parts. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by POP has been reported only rarely in the medical literature. An 81-year-old woman developed multiple large, tense, haemorrhagic bullae on the palm, and an acute vesicular eczematous eruption on the forearm, after the application of a POP splint. Subsequent patch testing revealed positive reactions to both the POP bandage used and to benzalkonium chloride, a component of the POP formulation. Patch tests to two other POP products without benzalkonium chloride were negative. These results confirm those of previous studies which have implicated the quaternary ammonium compound benzalkonium chloride as the allergen responsible for POP-induced allergic contact dermatitis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010328	Patch Tests	Skin tests in which the sensitizer is applied to a patch of cotton cloth or gauze held in place for approximately 48-72 hours. It is used for the elicitation of a contact hypersensitivity reaction.	Patch Testing,Patch Test,Patch Testings,Test, Patch,Testing, Patch,Testings, Patch,Tests, Patch
D011183	Postoperative Complications	Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery.	Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D002370	Casts, Surgical	Dressings made of fiberglass, plastic, or bandage impregnated with plaster of paris used for immobilization of various parts of the body in cases of fractures, dislocations, and infected wounds. In comparison with plaster casts, casts made of fiberglass or plastic are lightweight, radiolucent, able to withstand moisture, and less rigid.	Fiberglass Casts,Plaster Casts,Plastic Casts,Cast, Surgical,Surgical Cast,Surgical Casts,Cast, Fiberglass,Cast, Plaster,Cast, Plastic,Casts, Fiberglass,Casts, Plaster,Casts, Plastic,Fiberglass Cast,Plaster Cast,Plastic Cast
D004551	Elbow Joint	A hinge joint connecting the FOREARM to the ARM.	Elbow Joints,Joint, Elbow,Joints, Elbow
D005260	Female		Females
D006229	Hand Dermatoses	Skin diseases involving the HANDS.	Hand Dermatosis,Dermatoses, Hand,Dermatosis, Hand
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D000369	Aged, 80 and over	Persons 80 years of age and older.	Oldest Old
D000891	Anti-Infective Agents, Local	Substances used on humans and other animals that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. They are distinguished from DISINFECTANTS, which are used on inanimate objects.	Anti-Infective Agents, Topical,Antiseptic,Antiseptics,Microbicides, Local,Microbicides, Topical,Antiinfective Agents, Local,Antiinfective Agents, Topical,Local Anti-Infective Agents,Local Antiinfective Agents,Topical Anti-Infective Agents,Topical Antiinfective Agents,Agents, Local Anti-Infective,Agents, Local Antiinfective,Agents, Topical Anti-Infective,Agents, Topical Antiinfective,Anti Infective Agents, Local,Anti Infective Agents, Topical,Local Anti Infective Agents,Local Microbicides,Topical Anti Infective Agents,Topical Microbicides