Lichenoid dermatitis caused by contact allergy to epoxy resin

Abstract

Background: Epoxy resin is a well-known cause of occupational contact allergic dermatitis. Case report: We report a 43 year-old refrigerators assembly unit worker who presented with pruritic eruption in the lower part of abdomen lasting for the past 2 months. He had been working as an assembler for 5 month and had direct contact with epoxy glues, plastics and metal surfaces recently covered with corrosion protective coating. Protective gloves, mask and overall were used but during breaks the patient used to take off the upper part of the overall. No previous skin and allergic diseases were revealed and no medications were used. Examination showed fairly well demarcated flat dusky violaceous papules and plaques in the lower abdominal area. The network of fine white lines - Wickham’s striae and fine scales were seen. The oral mucosa was without lesions. Patch testing with the European standard series showed positive (+) reaction to epoxy resin on days 3 and 4 that still persisted after 5 weeks. Histological examination of skin lesions showed typically findings of lichenoid dermatitis. The patient changed the workplace what led to spontaneous resolution of lesions leaving only hyperpigmented patches. Comment: An atypical distribution of lesions clinically and histologically typical of lichen plannus should be considered as a possible lichenoid contact dermatitis. Although epoxy resin is a frequent contact sensitizer and is included in the standard series, to our knowledge, lichenoid contact dermatitis due to epoxy resin was only once described. Reference: Lichter M, Drury D, Remlinger K. Contact Dermatitis 1992: 26: 275.