Contact sensitivity to topical antimicrobials

18% (571/3145) of patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic in Singapore had contact sensitivity to one or more topical antimicrobials. The rates in males and females were similar. The rate for patients under 50 years old was 16% and for those over 50 years old 30% (p less than 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the rates among Chinese, Malays, Indians and other races. The antimicrobials proflavine, neomycin and clioquinol were the commonest sensitizers.