Glutaraldehyde (pentanedial) allergic contact dermatitis. Usage test on sole and antecubital fossa: regional variations in response

Glutaraldehyde (pentanedial) is an effective topical therapeutic agent for patients with hyperhidrosis of the soles. A usage test was performed on the soles and antecubital fossae of six previously documented glutaraldehyde-sensitive subjects. All had negative usage test reactions to 25% glutaraldehyde on the soles. But when tested on the antecubital fossae with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, they developed a severe dermatitis within 48 hours. These data demonstrate a striking variation by which glutaraldehyde-sensitive patients tolerate or react to its use in two diverse anatomic sites.