Acrylate adhesives used in post-operative dressings and for glucose sensors are causing adverse skin reactions in patients, Australian dermatologists warn. 

Perth-based dermatologist Dr Bernadette Ricciardo has seen a spike in the number of patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by medical glues used to close surgical wounds.

Many of the cases have followed orthopaedic surgery.

The glues contain 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, a compound known to cause a severe, blistering rash, typically after a patient’s second exposure, she says.