Cases Of Contact Urticaria Research Articles

Higher allergenicity of high molecular weight hydrolysed wheat protein in cosmetics for percutaneous sensitization

Wheat protein derivatives are used in a variety of products worldwide. Gluten is commercially used 'as is' or with modifications such as hydrolysis, which is carried out to overcome its insolubility. Several cases of contact urticaria following exposure to hydrolysed wheat protein (HWP) in cosmetics or of anaphylaxis caused by deamidated gluten in food or non-food products have been described. To evaluate the types of HWP that have higher allergenicity for percutaneous sensitization. We enrolled 7 patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis who had been sensitized to HWP primarily through the percutaneous and/or the rhinoconjunctival route by using facial soap containing HWP. Reaction to wheat proteins was confirmed by IgE immunoblotting and basophil CD203c expression with six HWP variants. The IgE of all the patients reacted to HWPs composed of large polypeptide aggregates. High molecular weight (MW) HWPs were also found to induce significant enhancement of basophil CD203c expression. HWPs composed of large polypeptide aggregates possibly induce sensitization to a greater degree than lower-MW HWPs. Basophil surface CD203c expression is useful for evaluating the allergenicity of HWPs.

Evaluating interventions aimed at reducing occupational exposure to latex and rubber glove allergens

ObjectiveConcerns over occupational exposures to blood-borne viruses resulted in increased protective glove use; consequentially latex allergy became a hazard for some occupational groups. Interventions aimed at managing this problem included...

Occupational contact urticaria caused by polyvinylchloride gloves

Allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves in healthcare workers is well recognized, and usually presents as immunological contact urticaria and sometimes anaphylaxis. Latex gloves can also cause allergic contact dermatitis, mostly because of rubber accelerators. As latex sensitivity is well known in healthcare settings, synthetic latex-free gloves are widely used. The most popular latexfree gloves are made of nitrile, polyvinylchloride (PVC), neoprene, or polyethylene. Only a few cases of contact urticaria caused by synthetic rubber or plastic materials have been reported. We describe a case of occupational contact urticaria caused by PVC gloves.

Contact Urticaria from Curcumin

Turmeric, a spice derived from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, contains the chemical curcumin, which is responsible for turmeric's taste, color, and biologic properties. Curcumin is used as a spice in foods, as a treatment in traditional medicine, as a dye for fur, and as a component in nutritional supplements. A few cases of allergic contact dermatitis from curcumin have been reported. We report two cases of contact urticaria from curcumin. These cases are mediated by two different mechanisms of contact urticaria: nonimmunologic and immunologic (immunoglobulin-E mediated).

Incidence by occupation and industry of work-related skin diseases in the United Kingdom, 1996–2001

Work-related skin disease is common but few cases are documented in statutory reports or disability systems. Voluntary reporting by specialist physicians provides more complete information. To summarize incidence rates of work-related skin diseases reported by consultant dermatologists and occupational physicians, with emphasis on contact and allergic dermatitis by occupation and industry. Cases reported in 1996-2001 to the EPIDERM and OPRA national surveillance schemes were analysed by causal agent, occupation and industry, with incidence rates calculated against appropriate denominators. Average annual incidence rates based on data from dermatologists were 97 per million overall, 74 for contact dermatitis and 14 for neoplasia. The corresponding rates for occupational physicians were 623 overall, 510 and 2, respectively. For infective disease, the rates for occupational physicians were 28 compared to 2 for dermatologists. Contact dermatitis was most frequently attributed to rubber chemicals, soaps and cleaners, wet work, nickel and acrylics; most cases of contact urticaria were attributed to rubber chemicals or foods and flour. The pattern of incidence rates by occupation and industry was complex, but correlated with the probable type of exposure. Rates of contact dermatitis were highest among skilled workers in the petrochemical and rubber and plastic manufacturing industries, with machine operators and technical workers in metal and automotive industries also at increased risk. High proportions of cases attributed to rubber chemicals were in nurses and technicians in the health and social services. These findings identify jobs and types of work where contact with causal agents is common and potentially preventable.

Occupational dermatoses from the manufacture of plastic composite products

Background: Workers in the reinforced plastics and more advanced plastic composite industries are exposed to reinforcing fibers and to various chemicals used for the resinous matrix or in the finishing and assembling work of composite products. Accordingly, the workers may develop both irritant and allergic contact dermatoses. Objective: The objective was to report analyzed cases of occupational contact dermatoses diagnosed in plastic composite workers during a 20-year period. Methods: The study consists of 43 of 2,178 workers diagnosed as having an occupational skin disease from 1974 to 1993. These 43 workers were employed in the plastic composite industry or exposed to plastic composite material in their work. The patients were patch tested with the standard series and the plastics and glues series. Most patients were also patch tested with substances they handled at work. Patients with upper respiratory symptoms or patients suspected to have immediate skin allergy were also tested using prick, scratch, or scratch chamber methods and 20 common commercial environmental allergens. Low molecular weight chemicals used in the plastics composite industry were prick tested as conjugates of human serum albumin. Results: Twenty-one subjects (49%) had irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), 18 (42%) had allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), and 4 (9%) had immunologic contact urticaria. ICD was caused by the mechanical irritation of glass fiber in 18 cases (86%). The rest of the cases of ICD were caused by solvents or sawing dust from cured plastic products. Diglycidyl ether bisphenol A epoxy resin caused 13 cases of ACD. One case of ACD was caused by sensitization to the epoxy compounds triglycidyl- p-aminophenol and tetraglycidyl-4-4′-methylene dianiline, two cases were caused by cobalt naphtenate in unsaturated polyester resin, and one case was caused by phenolformaldehyde resin glue. The cases of contact urticaria were caused by natural rubber latex (three cases) and epoxy resin hardener, methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA). Two patients had bronchial asthma caused by epoxy resin or its hardener MTHPA. One patient had allergic rhinitis caused by MTHPA. Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy was verified by skin prick and radioallergosorbent tests. Conclusion: In the plastic composite industry, ICD is mostly caused by man-made mineral fibers and various solvents. ACD occurred most frequently in the industry using epoxy resin compounds. Patch tests with plastic compounds to which the workers have actually been exposed are recommended.

Dermatitis and urticaria from rubber and plastic gloves.

The number and nature of allergic occupational glove dermatoses were analysed. 542 cases of allergic contact dermatosis were diagnosed during 1974-1983. Amongst these, 68 (12.5%) were caused by rubber or plastic gloves. 2 patients had contact urticaria due to rubber gloves. Gloves were the main cause of occupational allergic rubber eczema, inducing 63 (58.3%) of 108 rubber eczema cases. 38 of them had positive reactions to rubber chemicals and glove material, 14 to glove material only, and 11 to rubber chemicals. 5 cases of allergic eczema from plastic gloves were diagnosed, all due to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 2 cases of contact urticaria from natural rubber gloves were diagnosed by a provocation test. Epicutaneous testing with material of natural rubber gloves and rubber chemicals was negative. The present study shows that allergy to rubber gloves is usual, while allergy to plastic gloves is rare. Thus, plastic gloves should be used, when possible. Patch testing with protective gloves should always be used when patients develop prolonged hand dermatitis and where the possibility of glove eczema exists.