Occupational contact dermatitis caused by opioids: A case series

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Opioid-manufacturing facility workers are at risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To describe the causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by opioids in an opioid-manufacturing facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients assessed at the Occupational Dermatology Clinic in Melbourne, Australia from 2004 to 2017. RESULTS: Fifteen workers from an opioid-manufacturing facility were assessed in our clinic over a period of 14 years. Of these, 11 individuals were diagnosed with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by opioids, with seven reacting to thebaine, five to morphine, four to norhydroxymo..