Contact dermatitis to alcohol swabs masquerading as vaccine allergy

Australas J Dermatol. 2004 May;45(2):149-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2004.00065.x.

Abstract

A 14-year-old girl developed an eruption on her upper arm of pruritic, follicular papules each time she received a vaccination. This was initially thought to be a local reaction to the vaccines. After a similar rash appeared at a venepuncture site, a contact allergy to the alcohol swabs used before the procedures was postulated. A repeated open application test clarified this observation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 2-Propanol / adverse effects*
  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / adverse effects*
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Phlebotomy / adverse effects
  • Povidone-Iodine / adverse effects*
  • Viral Vaccines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Viral Vaccines
  • Povidone-Iodine
  • 2-Propanol