Epoxy resin systems are composed of monomers such as bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin, curing agents or hardeners, reactive diluents, and several other additives such as fillers, pigments, plasticizers, and solvents. Most uncured epoxy resins are formed by the condensation of bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. Hardeners, comprising of amines, amides, anhydrides, or inorganic compounds, are cross-linking agents for the resin that then lead to cured, hard, and insoluble products. Reactive diluents, mainly glycidyl ethers and sometimes glycidyl esters, are added to reduce viscosity and improve polymerization. About 75 % of epoxy resins used worldwide are based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA).

Acrylic resins are synthetic polymers derived from monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, cyanoacrylic acid, and their esters (acrylates, methacrylates, and cyanoacrylates), acrylamides, and acrylonitrile. These polymers are used in a wide variety of products such as plastics, paint, artificial nails, and dental and orthopedic materials as well as in glues, adhesives, and sealants. Adhesives based on acrylates, methacrylates, and epoxy diacrylates include anaerobic sealants, ultraviolet-cured sealants, cyanoacrylates, methyl methacrylate, metal and glass glues, epoxy diacrylates (vinyl resins), and acrylic dental bonding material. Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis has been reported to many acrylic resins [6]. Gloves are not protective against acrylates since they rapidly penetrate through latex gloves [27].

Cyanoacrylate-based glues (Krazy Glue, Super Glue) are used for binding biological materials such as human tissues and to seal wounds in surgery as well as adhesives for metal, rubber, glass, plastics, and textiles. Cyanoacrylates are rare sensitizers, although some cases have been reported [4]. Skin irritation is more common with cyanoacrylate-based glues compared to allergic reactions.

Acrylate-based adhesives are used extensively in tapes and stickers. Pressure-sensitive adhesives adhere by application of light pressure, and they are used mostly in the tape and label industries. Irritant and allergic reactions both can be caused by acrylates [6]. Medical adhesive tapes or bandages consist of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a backing. Reported acrylic allergens include ethylhexyl acrylate and dodecyl maleamic acid [13]. Adhesive bandages (Band-Aid) contain multiple allergenic components (Table 20.2), though the actual incidence of dermatitis compared to perceived reactions is very low. In the study by Widman and Storrs examining patients with self-reported adhesive bandage reactions, none had positives to the actual adhesive components other than Mastisol liquid adhesive [32]. Contact dermatitis to medical adhesive bandages is most often due to irritant contact dermatitis or trauma, rather than ACD [32].