Contact allergy to 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) in an ultraviolet curable ink.

A patient working in an ink laboratory developed dermatitis on his hands. Patch testing revealed contact allergy to the ink used and to 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA), the monomer present in the ink. Guinea pig maximisation test (GPM-test) shows that 2-HPMA is a weak sensitizer. The data suggest cross-reactivity to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) but not to 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate (2-HPA) or 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA).