Role of acrylates in the development of contact dermatitis in diabetic patients—A Polish dermatology tertiary centre experience

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, an increasing number of contact dermatitis cases triggered by acrylates contained in diabetes medical devices have been reported. Acrylates seem to play a major role in the development of irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in diabetic patients.ObjectivesTo study a group of patients with contact dermatitis caused by diabetes medical devices with a focus on acrylates as possible allergens responsible for contact dermatitis.Patients and MethodsFifteen patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and contact dermatitis from diabetic devices were patch tested to 25 acrylate allergens.ResultsThree patients (20%) reacted to the following allergens: three patients reacted to isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and one of them additionally to 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (2‐HEA); results were of clinical relevance. All three patients were using insulin pumps and glucose sensors (GS)—in one patient contact dermatitis was towards the insulin pump and the GS, in one patient only towards the insulin pump and in one patient only towards the GS. Twelve patients (80%) did not show any skin reaction towards the allergens tested.ConclusionA majority of diabetic patients showed no reactions towards any acrylate allergen tested; yet, the presence of untested allergens must be kept in mind. IBOA proved to be a cause of ACD in diabetes patients. 2‐HEA might be another culprit allergen, but its presence in the devices must first be confirmed.