Palladium Patch Reactivity

A retrospective review of all patch tests performed at 1 center during the year 2000 was undertaken. All patients with positive patch tests to palladium were selected. Of these, the presence of a positive patch test to nickel or gold was also noted. Putative clinical relevance of a positive test was not analyzed. All patients were tested with the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Standard Screening Series (see Appendix), which included nickel sulfate (2.5% pet.) and gold sodium thiosulfate (0.5% pet.). In addition, they were tested to palladium chloride (1% pet.). All allergens were supplied by Chemotechnique, Malmo, Sweden. Tests were applied on Finn Chambers on Scanpor tape (Allerderm, Inc., Petaluma, Calif., USA). Patches were applied for approximately 48 h, with the final reading about 48 h after patch removal.