Acrylate and methacrylate contact allergy and allergic contact disease: a 13‐year review

Abstract

Our 13-year experience indicates a changing landscape of (meth)acrylate contact allergy and allergic contact disease, with an observed shift in exposures away from manufacturing and towards acrylic nail sources. Wound dressings are highlighted as emerging sources of sensitization. Larger studies are required to establish the sensitivity and specificity of the four (meth)acrylates proposed for potential screening.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by acrylic‐based medical dressings and adhesives

“…Spencer et al, in a retrospective study, performed between 2002 and 2015, reported 7 cases of (meth)acrylate contact dermatitis,, with Mepilex border lite being the most frequent cause in 4 of them; 2 of of these 4 had positive patch test reactions to butyl acrylate, which is the main acrylate compound in Mepilex border lite. Another patient reacted to Micropore Surgical Tape (3M Health Care, Borken, Germany).…”

“…Acrylates and methacrylates, henceforth referred to as (meth)acrylates, are used in skin adhesives and also in wound dressings that absorb wound fluids, keeping the wound bed dry, which are often commercialized as “hypoallergenic”, non‐latex‐containing or non‐colophonium‐containing materials. However, they have become more recent sources of (meth)acrylate contact dermatitis . We here describe 2 such cases.…”

Recommendation to include hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate in the British baseline patch test series

“…In the U.K., the rate of (meth)acrylate allergy in Leeds tripled between 2008 and 2014 . In Birmingham, U.K., there was a shift in exposure from industrial sources towards acrylic nails between 2002 and 2015 . The Health and Occupation Research Network found that (meth)acrylates were the most frequently cited source of ACD in beauticians between 1999 and 2011 .…”

Acrylates: new sources and new allergens

“…Polymerization occurs through the combination of chemically reactive monomers – acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or cyanoacrylic acid (Fig. ) – with their corresponding esters, either spontaneously or following exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light . The products of this reaction are thermoplastic resins that are mouldable at high temperatures and solidify once cooled.…”

“…Acrylates are also used in wound‐care products for their absorptive properties and ability to preserve wound bed dryness . A 13‐year retrospective review identified multiple cases of acrylate allergy associated with wound‐care products . Mestach et al .…”