[Improvement of the patch-test reading through contact thermography].

The evaluation by contact-thermography (with heat sensitive cholesterinester crystals) of patch tests for contact dermatitis is an important aid to detect weak positive or false negative reactions. In addition, it facilitates the interpretation of patch tests in dark skin persons. The number of diagnosed cases of contact dermatitis can be increased by about 10% without increasing the expenditure of time on the part of the patient or the physician.