Contact dermatitis to neomycin sulfate
J. J. Leyden and A. M. Kligman
The prevalence of contact allergic dermatitis and nonallergic irritant
reactions to neomycin sulfate was determined in a large group of young
adults who had a noteworthy exposure to topical antibiotics. Only two
subjects (0.09%) had contact allergy proved by closed patch testing, while
20 (0.9%) had nonallergic irritant reactions to 20% neomycin sulfate and 17
(0.78%) had nonallergic reactions to one of the hydrophilic ointment bases.
In a separate population of 653 children referred for diagnostic patch
testing, only one subject had contact allergy to neomycin. All three
subjects who had reactions had a history of repeated use of neomycin on
chronically damaged skin. These results support the conclusion that
intermittent use of neomycin on minor cuts and wounds is not associated
with an excessive rate of sensitization.
