Contact Allergy to Brilliant Green in a Leg Ulcer Patient

Contact dermatitis to topical drugs is frequent in leg ulcer patients and a major factor contributing to delayed wound healing. Among the most common contact allergens are topical antibiotics, which should be avoided in these patients [1]. An alternative for the control of bacterial contaminations are disinfectants. Triphenylmethane dyes are traditionally used for this purpose. Among those, gentian violet and brilliant green – (4-[4-(diethylamino)benzhydrylene]cyclo-hexa-2,4-dien-1-ylidene)diethylammonium hydrogen sulphate; C.I. 42040 – are still popular because of the relatively broad range of antibacterial activity, low price, easy preparation and their availability in aqueous solutions [2]. Table 1. Open epicutaneous test reactions