History Of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Research Articles

Skin symptoms in veterinary assistant staff and veterinarians: A cross-sectional study.

Veterinary assistants and veterinarians are at an increased risk of developing an occupational skin disease, for example, irritant/allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria and hand eczema (HE). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of skin problems and the influence of predisposing factors especially among veterinary assistants. We conducted a cross-sectional study among veterinary assistant staff (n= 103) and veterinarians (n= 19). A questionnaire, specific IgE determination and photographs of hands were evaluated for skin symptoms. Logistic regression models assessed predisposing factors. Over 50% (n= 62/122) of our study population reported hand eczema (HE) in the last 12 months (1-year prevalence). Twenty-seven subjects reported redness and contact urticaria directly after animal contact, 35 had a positive history of allergic contact dermatitis. HE was associated with (i) increased frequency of hand washing (11-15 times per day; OR 4.15, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.18-14.6, p= 0.027, univariate model) and (ii) unprotected contact to fluids and tensides >5 times per day (OR 4.56, CI 95% 1.53-13.6, multivariate model). We observed a high prevalence of self-reported HE among staff in veterinary practices. Excessive hand washing, unprotected contact with irritants and long-term glove use should be avoided.

The risk factors for occupational contact dermatitis among workers in a medium density fiberboard furniture factory in Eastern Thailand

The aim of this study was to determine the occupational exposure to formaldehyde on the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) dust and allergic contact dermatitis among the workers at a furniture factory. Data were collected from 439 subjects using questionnaires and patch testing to evaluate allergic contact dermatitis resulting from formaldehyde on wood dust exposure in the workplace. The geometric mean concentration of formaldehyde on MDF dust that the workers in the production department were exposed to was 2.07 ppm (GSD 4.54). Patch test results revealed that some subjects developed allergy to various substances, including epoxy resin (16.7%) and formaldehyde (5.6%). The odds ratios (95% CI) for contact dermatitis were 3.6 (1.7–7.3) among those with a history of metal allergy, 1.8 (0.6–5.2) whose family members having a history of allergic contact dermatitis. Exposure to MDF dust in the workplace should be reduced, as the current levels of exposure exceed the permissible OSHA standard.

Fiddler’s neck: Chin rest-associated irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis in a violin player

Fiddler's neck refers to an irritant contact dermatitis on the submandibular neck of violin and viola players and an allergic contact dermatitis to nickel from the bracket attaching the violin to the chin rest on the violinist's supraclavicular neck. A 26-year-old woman developed submandibular and supraclavicular left neck lesions corresponding to the locations of the chin rest and bracket that was attached to her violin that held it against her neck when she played. Substitution of a composite chin rest, which did not contain nickel, and the short-term application of a low potency topical corticosteroid cream, resulted in complete resolution of the allergic contact dermatitis supraclavicular neck lesion. The irritant contact dermatitis submandibular neck lesion persisted. In conclusion, violin players are predisposed to developing irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis from the chin rest. We respectfully suggest that the submandibular neck lesions from contact with the chin rest be referred to as 'fiddler's neck - type 1,' whereas the supraclavicular neck lesions resulting from contact of the bracket holding the chin rest in place be called 'fiddler's neck - type 2.' A composite chin rest should be considered in patients with a preceding history of allergic contact dermatitis to nickel.

Chronic Actinic Dermatitis: Clinical Cases, Diagnostic Workup, and Therapeutic Management

We report four cases of chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) occurring in middle-aged men with significant outdoor exposure. The aim of this report is to show the spectrum of presentations of patients with CAD and to outline the proper diagnostic workup of these individuals. Phototesting was performed to determine the minimal erythema doses to ultraviolet (UV)A (315-400 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm) and photopatch testing and patch testing for each individual with the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Standard series and the Chemotechnique Plant series, supplemented by the Hausen Plant series and the patients' own products. All patients were men, over 45 years, who worked outdoors or had outdoor hobbies. Two had a past known history of allergic contact dermatitis. Two had atopic dermatitis. Three had positive reactions to Compositae plants and sesquiterpene lactone; one had a reaction to lichen acid mix. All had photocontact dermatitis or contact dermatitis to sunscreen chemicals, including benzophenone 3 (oxybenzone), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate). All reacted to fragrance mix; two reacted to balsam of Peru and two to colophony. All had biopsies showing an eczematous pattern. CAD is persistent, with a classic presentation, and requires a specific diagnostic workup. Effective therapeutic options exist for patients with CAD.

Association between TNFA‐308 G/A polymorphism and sensitization to para‐phenylenediamine: a case–control study

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and related chemicals are common contact sensitizers, frequently causing allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in contact sensitization. In this case-control study, we evaluated the distribution of variations in the regulatory region of the gene for TNF-alpha (TNFA-308 G/A) in 181 Caucasian individuals with a history of ACD and sensitization to PPD and 161 individuals with no history of sensitization to PPD. The frequency of GA or AA TNFA genotypes was significantly higher in individuals sensitized to PPD than in age- and gender-matched controls giving an odds ratio (OR) of 2.16 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.35-3.47; P = 0.0016). This relation was even more pronounced when restricting cases to females over 45 years (OR = 3.71; 95% CI: 1.65-8.31; P = 0.0017) vs younger females (less than or equal to 45 years; OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.03-5.65; P = 0.044) or males (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.449-2.47; P = 1.0). In addition, a logistic regression model revealed a significant effect for TNFA-308 AA and AG vs GG genotype (point estimate = 2.152; 95% Wald CI: 1.332-3.477). These findings suggest a possible role for the TNFA-308 genetic polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for chemically induced ACD.

Patch Tests in Patients without History of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Patch Tests in Patients without History of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Dermatitis associated with henna tattoo

A 32-year-old woman presented with a 5-day history of a severely pruritic, erythematous reaction in the distribution of a temporary black henna tattoo that had been applied 2 weeks earlier while she was vacationing on theboardwalk in New Jersey. She was not a cosmetologist and had no history of previous exposure to henna in hair dyes. In fact, the patient had no history of ever coloring her hair. She denied having a history of allergic contact dermatitis, atopy, and asthma. Physical examination revealed a geometric, erythematous, edematous, crusted lesion in the sun-shaped pattern of the patient's henna tattoo on the medial aspect of her right ankle (figure 1). A diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis was made. She was treated with 60 mg of oral prednisone taken daily and tapered over 2 weeks. Topical triamcinolone acetonide cream was applied to the area twice daily and as needed for pruritus, and she was cautioned to avoid any exposure to henna in temporary tattoos and hair-dye products. Patch testing revealed a 2+ reaction to p-phenylenediamine (PPD). The remainder of the patch test was negative. The patient was then advised to avoid all permanent hair-dye products. She returned for follow-up about 1 month later. At that time, the dermatitis had resolved, leaving a faint hyperpigmented area in the design of the henna tattoo.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome After Immunization With Smallpox, Anthrax, and Tetanus Vaccines

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome After Immunization With Smallpox, Anthrax, and Tetanus Vaccines

Prevention of Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Allergic Contact Dermatitis by Quaternium-18 Bentonite.

Abstract Background: Poison ivy and poison oak are the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis in North America. Objective: We investigated whether a new topical lotion containing 5% quaternium-18 bentonite prevents experimentally induced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis. Methods: A single-blind, paired comparison, randomized, multicenter investigation was used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of quaternium-18 bentonite lotion in preventing experimentally induced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible volunteers. One hour before both forearms were patch tested with urushiol, the allergenic resin from poison ivy and poison oak, 5% quaternium-18 bentonite lotion was applied on one forearm. The test patches were removed after 4 hours and the sites interpreted for reaction 2, 5, and 8 days later. The difference in reactions between treated and untreated patch test sites was statistically analyzed. Results: Two hundred eleven subjects with a history of allergic contact dermatitis to poison ivy and poison oak were studied. One hundred forty-four subjects had positive reactions to urushiol. The test sites pretreated with quaternium-18 bentonite lotion had absent or significantly reduced reactions to the urushiol compared with untreated control sites ( p p Conclusion: Quaternium-18 bentonite lotion was effective in preventing or diminishing experimentally produced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis.

Individual variation in nickel patch test reactivity

Background and Objective: Various factors such as hormones, drugs, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation may influence patch test reactions. The aim was to study the individual variation in nickel reactivity, also in relation to the menstrual cycle. Methods: Thirty women allergic to nickel were studied for 7 months with patch tests with a serial dilution of nickel sulfate in water on four different test occasions. The patients belonged to two different eczema groups, one with nickel allergy, atopy, and pompholyx (12 patients); and the other with nickel allergy, but without both atopy and hand eczema. Results: None of the patients showed the same patch test reactivity on all four occasions, and the highest individual difference noticed was 250 times for the four test occasions. Furthermore, two of the patients had completely negative test reactions on at least one test occasion. Conclusion: The variation in nickel reactivity as shown in this article is of great importance and should be kept in mind when a patient has a positive history of allergic contact dermatitis but negative patch test results to nickel.

Prevention of poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis by quaternium-18 bentonite

Background: Poison ivy and poison oak are the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis in North America. Objective: We investigated whether a new topical lotion containing 5% quaternium-18 bentonite prevents experimentally induced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis. Methods: A single-blind, paired comparison, randomized, multicenter investigation was used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of quaternium-18 bentonite lotion in preventing experimentally induced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible volunteers. One hour before both forearms were patch tested with urushiol, the allergenic resin from poison ivy and poison oak, 5% quaternium-18 bentonite lotion was applied on one forearm. The test patches were removed after 4 hours and the sites interpreted for reaction 2, 5, and 8 days later. The difference in reactions between treated and untreated patch test sites was statistically analyzed. Results: Two hundred eleven subjects with a history of allergic contact dermatitis to poison ivy and poison oak were studied. One hundred forty-four subjects had positive reactions to urushiol. The test sites pretreated with quaternium-18 bentonite lotion had absent or significantly reduced reactions to the urushiol compared with untreated control sites ( p < 0.0001) on all test days. When it occurred, the reaction consistently appeared later on treated than on control sites ( p < 0.0001). One occurrence of mild, transient erythema at the application site was the only side effect from the quaternium-18 bentonite lotion. Conclusion: Quaternium-18 bentonite lotion was effective in preventing or diminishing experimentally produced poison ivy and poison oak allergic contact dermatitis.

Chromomycosis on the Nose

REPORT OF A CASE In November 1988, a 52-year-old white man noted the onset of an indurated area on the bridge of his nose. He had a history of allergic contact dermatitis to nickel; therefore, he assumed that the metal bridge section of his glasses contained nickel and he bought a pair of plastic-framed glasses. Because the eruption persisted, he sought medical attention and presented to the dermatology clinic in early April 1989. It was learned that he was employed as a grounds attendant at a resort area. The patient's physical examination revealed a verrucous plaque with overlying crust involving the bridge of his nose (Figs 1 and 2). The remainder of his examination showed unremarkable findings. The findings from his serologic examinations were normal; the histopathologic examination revealed severe pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and a severe chronic inflammatory and granulomatous reaction with multinucleated giant cells and intraepidermal microabscesses (Fig 3). Many

Susceptibility to irritants: role of barrier function, skin dryness and history of atopic dermatitis

The susceptibility of the skin to various irritants was investigated with the aim of determining the role of the barrier function of the stratum corneum, skin dryness and whether a history of atopic dermatitis (AD) was a factor. The transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured using an evaporimeter and skin hydration using a Corneometer and by visual scoring. The group with a history of AD (n = 20) had a lower pre-exposure barrier function and a higher TEWL value following irritant exposure than the group with a history of allergic contact dermatitis (n = 18) and a control group (n = 18). Clinically dry skin was more susceptible than normal skin, though no difference was noted in the pre-exposure barrier function. The increased susceptibility to irritants in those with a past history of AD was probably due to impaired barrier function and/or the presence of a dry skin.

Urushiol (poison ivy)-triggered suppressor T cell clone generated from peripheral blood.

Allergic contact dermatitis to Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) is mediated by the hapten urushiol. An urushiol-specific, interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent T cell clone (RLB9-7) was generated from the peripheral blood of a patient with a history of allergic contact dermatitis to T. radicans. This clone proliferated specifically to both leaf extract and pure urushiol. Although the clone had the phenotype CD3+CD4+CD8+, proliferation to antigen was blocked by anti-CD8 and anti-HLA-A, B, C, but not by anti-CD4, suggesting that CD4 was not functionally associated with the T cell receptor. Furthermore, studies with antigen-presenting cells from MHC-typed donors indicated that the clone was MHC class 1 restricted. RLB9-7 was WT31 positive, indicating it bears the alpha beta T cell receptor. The clone lacked significant natural killer cell activity and produced only low levels of IL-2 or gamma-interferon upon antigen stimulation. Addition of RLB9-7 to autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of urushiol inhibited the pokeweed mitogen-driven IgG synthesis. This suppression was resistant to irradiation (2,000 rad) and was not seen when RLB9-7 was added to allogeneic cells, even in the presence of irradiated autologous antigen-presenting cells, suggesting that suppression was MHC restricted and not mediated by nonspecific soluble factors. However, RLB9-7 cells in the presence of urushiol inhibited the synthesis of tetanus toxoid-specific IgG by autologous lymphocytes, indicating that the suppression, although triggered specifically by urushiol, was nonspecific.