Shoes

Abstract

Patients with intermittent or chronic foot dermatitis should be considered as having allergic contact dermatitis to shoes until proven otherwise. Although any part of the foot may be involved in shoe dermatitis, the typical localization is on the dorsa of feet and toes, the interdigital areas between the toes being spared. Of course, also the sools may be affected. Bilateral symmetrical dermatitis is the norm although it may be patchy and unilateral. Potassium dichromate and cobalt chloride (in leather), colophonium and PTBP-F resin in glues, the rubber chemicals, MBT and mercapto mix, and to a lesser extent thiuram mix, and para-phenylenediamine (PPDA) are the most important causes of shoe dermatitis, but many other allergens may be involved as well. Patch testing for shoe allergy should ideally include the baseline series, a shoe chemical series, pieces from shoes worn by the patient, as well as topical medications used. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.