Dentists's occupational allergic paronychia and contact dermatitis caused by acrylics

A 32-year-old female dentist developed severe fingertip dermatitis, typical of acrylics allergy, and associated paronychia. On patch testing she was positive to eight acrylics, including ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, which were also shown by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to be present in the particular dental products that she herself used at work. Five of these dental products, namely Scotchbond multipurpose primer and adhesive, Fuji LC liquid, and Dyract-PSA Prime adhesive and plastic, also gave allergic patch test reactions. The dentist had immediate relapses when returning to work and should change to a job in which she would not be exposed to acrylics. Dental acrylics need to be made safer, or used more carefully, because of the significant economic and mental stress inflicted on affected patients in cases of sensitization.