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Background: Acrylate polymers and cross‐polymers (ACPs) are frequently used cosmetic ingredients. The British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA) and the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) collaborated to investigate the allergenic potential of three commonly‐used ACPs. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to three ACPs: glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co‐polymer, sodium polyacrylate, and acrylates/C10‐30 alkyl acrylate cross‐polymer (Carbopol®). Materials and Methods: The BSCA prospectively audited data collected from 20 centres in the UK and Ireland between 1st September 2021 and 1st September 2022. Patients with suspected ACD to (meth)acrylates, with facial dermatitis, or consecutive patients, were patch tested to glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co‐polymer 10% aqueous (aq.) sodium polyacrylate 2% aq., and to acrylates/C10‐30 alkyl acrylate cross‐polymer 2% aq. (Carbopol®). The frequencies of positive, irritant, and doubtful reactions were recorded. Results: In total, 1302 patients were patch tested. To glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co‐polymer, there was one doubtful reaction in a patient allergic to multiple (meth)acrylates, and one irritant. To sodium polyacrylate, there were four irritant reactions, one doubtful, and one positive reaction; in all cases, relevance was unknown and there was no demonstrable (meth)acrylate allergy. There were no reactions to Carbopol®. Conclusions: Sensitisation to these concentrations of the three tested ACPs is rare. Elicitation of dermatitis in (meth)acrylate‐sensitised patients by exposure to these three ACPs appears unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of patients with skin diseases in order to determine whom are likely to be infected by Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A list of patients with skin disease who had a positive bacterial skin swab for MRSA was compiled. A total of 42 patients were identified, in which 81% were aged 60 years or more. Studies confirmed that elderly patients with eczema and leg ulcers who have associated chronic diseases are most likely to be infected with MRSA.