Chromate Dermatitis in Nigeria

Abstract

Potassium dichromate has replaced nickel as the most common sensitizer in recent studies at the skin clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Other workers from the North American Contact Dermatitis Research Group, Mayo clinic and Massachusetts also noted an increasing prevalence. This study aimed to highlight the clinical features and sources of chromate allergy in our environment in view of the high prevalence of chromate dermatitis in recent studies done at the skin clinic of LUTH. The demographic data and clinical findings of all consecutive patients with positive patch test responses to potassium dichromate, within a one year period, were obtained using a self administered questionnaire. The analyses were done on the Epi Info software. There was a male preponderance of chromate allergy; male to female ratio was 1.75: 1. All the patients presented with features of chronic and acute on chronic eczema. The lower limbs were most affected which correlated with the finding of shoes as the most common source of contact allergy to potassium dichromate. Concomitant allergy to nickel and cobalt chloride was noted most frequently. Non occupational sources of chromate were more important than the occupational sources in this study.