Contact dermatitis caused by 2-HEMA and GM dentin primer solutions applied to guinea pigs and humans.

The purposes of this study were to examine whether 2-HEMA, GM, and methacrylic acid cause contact dermatitis, and to determine the optimum concentrations of these primers for sensitization and challenge in guinea pigs. A sensitizing concentration of 0.2% 2-HEMA resulted in strong rubefaction and several vesiculopapules in response to the challenge, and a sensitizing concentration of 0.5% GM produced strong rubefaction at 24 hours. We also observed the development of contact dermatitis on human brachia in a closed-patch test. Skin that was treated with both 2-HEMA and GM clearly showed the onset of rubefaction and itchiness. 2-HEMA caused sensitized delayed allergic reactions at all the concentrations tested.