Influence of Local Triamcinolone Acetonide on Patch Test Reactions to Nickel Sulfate

The influence of local application of triamcinolone acetonide on patch test reactions was investigated in patients with a contact allergy to nickel sulfate. In 15 patients the reaction to patch tests with a mixture of 5% nickel sulfate and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in petrolatum was compared with the reaction to 5% nickel sulfate in petrolatum. In eight patients the test area on the skin was infiltrated with triamcinolone acetonide or saline solution after which test were performed with nickel sulfate. In eight patients the test area was pretreated with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide cream or the cream base alone before the patch tests with nickel sulfate were done. In general, all three methods gave partial suppression of the size of the reaction.