Recognition of patch testing among pharmacists

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThere are currently little data available on the research targeted at pharmacists regarding dermatological diseases including contact dermatitis. This study evaluates recognition of contact dermatitis and patch testing among pharmacists.MethodsSubjects were 104 pharmacists attended a seminar at Kawasaki, Japan, in January 2017. Ninety‐three of the 104 (89.4%) worked in a pharmacy. They completed a self‐administered questionnaire including working form, length of career as a pharmacist, encounters of contact dermatitis patients, patch testing, and its methodology.ResultsNinety‐three of the 104 (89.4%) encountered patients with contact dermatitis. The most suspected allergen was a cosmetic which 59 pharmacists encountered. The second and third were, in that order, drugs (55) and plants (46), respectively. Ninety‐five of the 104 (91.3%) knew patch testing, and 28 of those (26.9%) had recommended it for patients; 28 of the 104 (21.2%) answered methodology of patch testing correctly.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that many patients with contact dermatitis visit pharmacies, and pharmacists play an important role for patients’ management. Although most pharmacists knew patch testing itself, its methodology was not correctly understood. For allergic contact dermatitis patients, it is important to identify the cause. Hence, we must enlighten pharmacists as to significance of patch testing.