Acrylates and methacrylates are a large group of chemically reactive monomers that are polymerized into acrylic plastics.

These have very broad applications in glues, coatings and various plastic materials. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by acrylates can be occupational, mainly in dentistry workers during the manufacturing and implantation of dental prosthesis, and in nail technicians during the sculpturing and application of artificial nails.

The clinical manifestations vary according to the location of the contact. In non-occupational ACD, hand eczema, pulpitis and stomatitis are more frequent. We conducted a study to investigate the frequency of sensitization to acrylates, determining the most frequently sensitizing acrylates and assessing the possible role of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) as a screening allergen.

From January 2013 to December 2014, 217 patients with a personal history and symptoms suggestive of contact dermatitis were patch tested with an extended series of acrylates at the Dermatology and Allergology Units of the University Hospital of Bari.

Seven patients (3.2%) had positive reactions. The reactions were related to artificial nails in 2 patients (28.6%), both beauticians, and dental material in 5 patients (71.4%) with dental prosthesis. 2-HEMA detected 100%of sensitized patients to acrylates.