Contact and consequence: Understanding hand and foot dermatitis through patch testing

Summary: Abstract Body: Hand and foot dermatitis (HFD) significantly affects quality of life and presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping features with other dermatitis. Patch testing is essential for identifying allergens, enabling targeted management. This descriptive study analyzed clinico-epidemiological patterns of HFD and correlations with patch test results using standard patch testing kits and additional allergens, including vegetables and detergents, for enhanced diagnostic sensitivity. Seventy patients with HFD were recruited from a dermatology outpatient clinic. Detailed anamnesis, including occupational exposure, and clinical examination were performed to categorize morphological patterns. Patch testing followed standardized protocols, and results were interpreted using International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) criteria. Statistical analyses evaluated correlations between patch test positivity, clinical patterns, and occupational exposure. The study population comprised 55.7% males and 44.3% females, with non-skilled manual labor (40%) as the predominant occupation, followed by homemakers (24.3%). Hyperkeratotic eczema was the most common morphological pattern (40%), followed by housewives' eczema (15.7%). Patch test positivity was observed in 50% of hyperkeratotic eczema and 81.8% of housewives' eczema. The most common allergens were potassium dichromate (11.4%) and detergents (5.7%), reflecting occupational and domestic exposures. No significant correlation was found between test results, occupational category, or morphological pattern (p > 0.05). Patch testing is vital for diagnosing hand and foot dermatitis, with potassium dichromate and detergents as key allergens. Expanding allergen panels and enhancing patient education on avoidance can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. Balakrishnan Kamaraj¹, Hrithik Dakssesh Putta Nagarajan¹, Faiza F. Khan², Subash Ganesan¹, Gurunathan Srinivasan⁵, Fatima Shahid³, Muhammed Abdullah Naveed⁴ 1. Madurai Medical College, Madurai, TN, India. 2. Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. 3. King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. 4. Dow Medical College, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. 5. Stanley Medical College, Chennai, TN, India. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research