Occupational contact dermatitis due to glutaraldehyde in health care workers

Allergic contact dermatitis to glutaraldehyde was found in 13 health-care workers with hand dermatitis. Concomitant sensitivity to other chemicals was noted in 10. The positive patch test response was only evident for every 2nd observation in 4. The eruption persisted for more than 6 months in 10 subjects. In 5, the skin disease forced the worker to leave his occupation.