Clinico-demographic profile of patients with foot dermatitis: A cross-sectional study with special reference to patch test results

BACKGROUND: Foot dermatitis is a common debilitating dermatological disorder where the eczematous process predominantly involves the feet. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinico-demographic profile, type, clinical pattern, and evaluate the role of patch testing to determine the causative factors of foot dermatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight new patients clinically diagnosed with foot dermatitis were subjected to detailed history taking and physical examination. The patients were subjected to patch testing using the Indian standard battery and Indian footwear series (Contact and Occupational Dermatoses Forum of India [CODFI]). RESULTS: Among the 58 patients (mean age 31.48 ± 16.4 years, M:F 1:1.2), the majority (39.7%) presented with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) followed by irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) (19%), while atopic dermatitis was the least (3.45%). However, 48% of our patients reported a history of atopy. About 43.5% of ACD patients showed a positive patch test reactions to at least one allergen of Indian standard battery and footwear series. Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) was the commonest allergen (50%), followed by potassium dichromate (40%), thiuram mix (20%) while paraphenylenediamine was the least common (10%). Dorsum of the foot was affected most commonly (55.17%), followed by toe (46.55%) and sole (41.38%). Scaling was observed in almost 80% of patients followed by crusting. Housewives were affected most commonly followed by students and cement workers. CONCLUSION: Rubber and rubber chemicals were found to be the commonest allergen inciting foot dermatitis. Atopy might be a predisposing factor in these patients. Thus, patch testing is recommended to determine the cause of foot dermatitis and provide suitable treatment.