Occupational Contact Urticaria Research Articles

Occupational asthma, rhinitis and contact urticaria from greenhouse work.

The current knowledge about occupational allergic diseases among greenhouse workers is scant. To describe greenhouse workers' occupational allergic diseases. We identified 28 greenhouse workers with occupational allergic diseases in 2002-2020 by conducting a systematic search in the patient register of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. All the patients worked in tomato- or cucumber-growing greenhouses and showed immunoglobulin-E-mediated sensitization to occupational agents. Specific inhalation challenges or workplace peak expiratory flow monitoring confirmed occupational asthma (OA), nasal allergen challenges confirmed occupational rhinitis (OR) and open skin tests confirmed occupational contact urticaria (OCU). Most patients had more than one occupational disease and were sensitized to several workplace agents. Tomato plants were the most common cause of occupational diseases and induced 22 allergic diseases in 14 patients. Cucumber plants caused occupational diseases in 10 patients (3 OA, 7 OR and 6 OCU). The pest control mite Amblyseius swirskii and a mixture of parasitic wasps Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus both induced two OA cases. Three patients had an occupational disease caused by storage mites and three others had a work-related systemic reaction to a bumblebee sting. The greenhouse workers typically suffered from several occupational allergic diseases and were sensitized to cultivated plants, various pest control organisms and storage mites. All these can cause OA and OR, but in this study, OCU was only induced by cultivation plants. Cucumber plant is a novel cause of OA and OR, and A. swirskii is a novel cause of OA.

Severe work-related asthma from gum arabic exposure in a bubblegum factory worker

Gum arabic, derived from Acacia trees, is a branched polysaccharide used in the food industry. It has been implicated as causing occupational asthma, contact urticaria, and rhinitis. Life-threatening allergic manifestations have not been reported.

Berufsbedingte Kontakturtikaria und Verdacht auf allergische Rhinitis durch Sensibilisierung gegen Cannabis sativa

Occupational contact urticaria with suspected allergic rhinitis due to sensitization to Cannabis sativa Case Presentation: A customs employee presented with complaints of allergic rhinitis related to the workplace. Results: Allergy diagnostics (rub test, prick test, specific IgE) revealed evidence of allergies to cannabis sativa and environmental allergens. Measures: The suspected presence of occupational disease no. 4301 was reported to the insurer. The avoidance of exposure to allergens was advised. Conclusions: In the future, due to changes in the legal situation, more persons in cultivation, production, distribution, the health sector, forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies will come into contact with cannabis sativa in the workplace. Allergies may develop, but to date there are no commercially available type I allergy diagnostics related to cannabis products. Further health effects of occupational exposure and necessary preventive measures are unclear. Keywords: occupational allergy – Cannabis sativa – occupational disease no. 4301

Neue Allergene für die Berufsdermatologie?

The environment is continuously subject to change. Exposures in the work environment and therefore the importance of occupational typeI and typeIV allergens may change. The most important trends concerning occupational allergens, new occupational allergens/allergen exposures, the diagnostic procedure to detect new allergens in practice and regulatory developments are presented. Building on known relevant allergen exposures in occupational dermatology, published trends from clinical cohorts are evaluated and asystematic literature search (PubMed 2016-2021) for new occupational allergens is also performed RESULTS: Occupations with the highest incidence of occupational allergic contact urticaria and/or protein contact dermatitis include bakers, farmers and farm workers, veterinary technicians, veterinarians, cooks, dairy and livestock workers, gardeners, and hairdressers. The highest risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis is in health care, agriculture, metalworking occupations and machine operators, the food sector, service industries, and construction occupations. The search strategy "new occupational allerg*" yielded 603 hits and "novel occupational allerg*" 158 hits. Atotal of 25papers included results relevant to the research question and were processed. New protein-based immediate-type allergens, as well as contact allergens (haptens) relevant for occupational dermatology, are presented. Current trends on known occupational allergens and new occupational allergens in the period 2016-2021 can be identified. Only athorough individual workplace history and testing of patients' own materials can identify new allergens in occupational dermatology.

Occupational asthma, rhinitis, and contact urticaria from indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) hair dye

Following the current trends of organic and vegan lifestyles, the use of vegetable-based hair dyes has increased in hair salons and among consumers at home. Previous reports have identified dyes including henna and cassia as causes of occupational diseases.1,2

Occupational airborne contact urticaria, anaphylaxis and asthma in farmers and agronomists due to Bruchus pisorum.

Occupational contact urticaria due to inhalation of legume pest allergens has rarely been described. To determine the cause of an outbreak of airborne contact urticaria, asthma, and anaphylaxis in farmers and agronomists studying the disinsectization of dried peas. Peas were treated with aluminum phosphide (EPA). Extracts prepared from Bruchus lentis and Bruchus pisorum bodies and from healthy legumes, EPA-treated legumes, and infested legumes, were used for in vivo tests (skin prick testing, oral, and specific bronchial challenge for the diagnosis of asthma and anaphylaxis) in affected patients and in five control patients with severe legume hypersensitivity. Open application, patch testing with the most common legume insecticides, molecular analysis, and IgE immunoblotting were undertaken. We found positive responses (prick, provocation, immune detection) to parasitic pea extracts and B. pisorum. A 25 kDa band was detected in the western blot of all patients who worked with infested EPA-treated peas. Bands from B. pisorum extract were detected in all patients. No responses to pea allergens were found in any patient, unlike in legume allergy controls. Oral provocation tests were negative. B. pisorum is a cause of contact urticaria and may cause occupational hives, anaphylaxis, and asthma. The allergen may enter by inhalation or puncture of setae released by B. pisorum.

Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases in a period of 12 years.

Although occupational contact urticaria (CU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD) are considered frequent among workers with exposure to proteinaceous materials, data on occupations at risk and the main causes of these occupational skin diseases are relatively limited. To report the causative agents and risk occupations for CU and PCD in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD). We retrieved from the FROD all recognized cases of CU/PCD in the years 2005-2016. With 570 cases, CU and PCD constituted 11% of all recognized cases of occupational skin diseases in the study period. Occupations with the highest incidence of CU/PCD included bakers, chefs and cooks, farmers and farm workers, veterinarians, gardeners, and hairdressers. The most common causative agents were cow dander and flour and grain, followed by natural rubber latex (NRL) and other food. In food-related occupations, wheat and other flours were by far the most common cause of CU/PCD, with 76 cases, whereas fish and other animal-derived food caused 33 and other plant-derived food caused 23 cases. Apart from the Finnish peculiarity of cow dander allergy, a striking finding was a large share of CU/PCD caused by flours in food handlers as compared to other food.

Occupational allergic rhinitis and contact urticaria caused by Gum Arabic in a candy factory worker

Occupational allergic rhinitis and contact urticaria caused by Gum Arabic in a candy factory worker

3-(Bromomethyl)-2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)- benzoic acid: a new cause of sensitiser induced occupational asthma, rhinitis and urticaria

Objectives3-(Bromomethyl)−2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-benzoic acid (BCMBA) has not previously been identified as a respiratory sensitiser. We detected two cases who presented respiratory and urticaria symptoms related to BCMBA and had positive skin prick...

Occupational hand eczema and/or contact urticaria: factors associated with change of profession or not remaining in the workforce.

Occupational hand eczema and/or contact urticaria may have social consequences such as change of profession or not remaining in the workforce. To identify factors associated with job change in a cohort of participants with recognised occupational hand eczema/contact urticaria METHODS: A registry-based study including 2703 employees with recognised occupational hand eczema/contact urticaria in Denmark in 2010/2011. Four to five years later the participants received a follow-up questionnaire, comprising questions on current job situation (response rate 58.0%). At follow-up, 51.3% of the participants were no longer in the same profession. 32.5% had changed profession and 18.8% were no longer in employment. Change of profession was associated with young age, positive patch test, low educational level and severity of hand eczema/contact urticaria. With regard to specific professions, cleaning personnel changed profession significantly more often than other workers [71.4% (OR = 2.26)], health care workers significantly less often than other workers [34.0% (OR = 0.36)]. Job change occurs frequently during the first years after recognition of occupational hand eczema/contact urticaria and more often among patients with positive patch test reactions, with severe hand eczema/contact urticaria. Whether job changes improve the prognosis of occupational hand eczema/contact urticaria remains to be established.

Occupational contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis: causes and concomitant airway diseases.

Contact urticaria (CU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD) are mainly induced by an immediate, IgE-mediated immunological mechanism. Immediate sensitization is also linked to asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. To report causes of work-induced CU and PCD, and to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant airway diseases. We retrospectively reviewed the patient files of cases diagnosed with CU or PCD at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during 1995-2011. We obtained data on occupation, exposures, clinical and immunological test results, and diagnosed occupational skin and respiratory diseases. Altogether, 291 cases of occupational CU or PCD were diagnosed during the study period. The most common causes were flour, cow dander, natural rubber latex and acid anhydrides. Concomitant occupational asthma caused by the same agent as the skin disease was detected in 60 patients (21%), and occupational rhinitis was detected in 111 patients (38%). Almost half of the patients (46%) with occupational CU and PCD had concomitant occupational airway disease. Patients with CU/PCD should always be asked about respiratory symptoms, and preventive measures at the workplace should include protection of both the skin and the airways.

Occupational dermatitis in hairdressers - influence of individual and environmental factors.

Hairdressers are at risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis because of their intense contact with wet work in combination with chemicals. To perform an analysis of a cohort study of hairdressers with occupational contact dermatitis recognized in the period 2006-2011, focusing on individual and environmental factors associated with the disease. The study was a descriptive, register-based survey including all hairdressers with recognized occupational contact dermatitis in Denmark in the period January 2006 to September 2011. Data were obtained from the Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries. The study comprised 381 patients (373 women and 8 men). The median age was 25 years, 64.8% were apprentices, and 35.2% were fully trained hairdressers. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 36.0%, and was significantly higher among apprentices than among fully trained hairdressers (44.9% and 19.4%, respectively) (p < 0.001). Of the patients, 48.3% had their dermatitis recognized as occupational irritant contact dermatitis, 46.7% had their dermatitis recognized as as occupational allergic contact dermatitis or combined allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, and 5.0% were recognized as having occupational contact urticaria. The low median age, the high percentages of atopic dermatitis in apprentices and the fact that more apprentices than fully trained hairdressers had recognized occupational contact dermatitis underlines the importance of early prevention.

Occupational contact urticaria caused by food - a systematic clinical review.

Food industry workers are at increased risk for occupational contact urticaria (CU). There are many foodstuffs that have been reported to cause occupational CU, including seafood, meat, vegetables, and fruits. The aim of this review is to summarize all reported occupational cases of CU in the food industry. This is a systematic review based on a MEDLINE search of articles in English and German and a manual search, between 1990 and 2014, to summarize the case reports and case series of occupational CU in the food industry. Many different foodstuffs have been implicated in CU. Occupational CU has been reported in many different occupations, mostly in individuals dealing with seafood, meat, vegetables, and fruits, such as chefs, cooks, bakers, butchers, slaughterhouse workers, and fish-factory workers. Foodstuffs that commonly induce occupational protein contact dermatitis include fish, seafood, meats, vegetables, and fruits. Food handlers may acquire CU resulting from occupational exposures. The prognosis varies widely. The diagnosis of immunological CU is based on the clinical history and on a positive prick test with the suspected substance and/or measurement of specific IgE.

Occupational Contact Urticaria to Cow's Milk in the Absence of Cow's Milk Allergy in a Cheesemaker

Occupational Contact Urticaria to Cow's Milk in the Absence of Cow's Milk Allergy in a Cheesemaker

Occupational contact urticaria: a diagnosis not to be missed.

Occupational contact urticaria: a diagnosis not to be missed.

Occupational contact urticaria: lessons from the French National Network for Occupational Disease Vigilance and Prevention (RNV3P).

Occupational contact urticaria (OCU) is an occupational contact dermatitis that can cause serious health consequences and disability at work. To describe OCU and its temporal trends by the main causal agents and activity sectors in a nationwide scheme in France. Using data from the French National Network for Occupational Disease Vigilance and Prevention (RNV3P), we described OCU reported during the period 2001-10 and analysed the temporal trends of OCU and OCU attributed to the most frequent agents over the study period. Trends analyses were supported by reporting odds ratios using a logistic regression model with reference to 2001, or with time as a continuous variable. During the study period, 251 cases of OCU were reported in RNV3P, half of which were due to natural rubber latex, in particular in the health and social work activity sector (HSW). The number of these cases declined significantly over the study period (19% per year), and particularly after 2006. Conversely, the other causes of OCU did not decrease. Using surveillance data from a French national network, this study has found that there was a significant decline in OCU due to natural rubber latex, particularly in the HSW, when powdered latex gloves were banned from French hospitals. Our results show the effectiveness of this preventive measure, and suggest that this practice should be extended to other sectors.

Prick testing with chemicals in the diagnosis of occupational contact urticaria and respiratory diseases.

Little is known about the use of prick tests with chemicals in diagnosing occupational diseases. To evaluate the use of prick tests in the diagnosis of occupational contact urticaria, asthma and rhinitis caused by chemicals (undertaken at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health). We retrospectively reviewed the patient and test files for the period 1 January 1991 to 31 May 2011. Prick tests were performed with chemical solutions and human serum albumin (HSA)-chemical conjugates. Positive prick test reactions to isocyanate-HSA conjugates were associated with isocyanate-specific IgE in all 20 patients, and 17 patients had a relevant occupational disease. Positive reactions to chloramine-T-HSA conjugates in 10 patients also indicated the presence of specific IgE, although occupational diseases were not always diagnosed. Eleven of 17 patients with positive reactions to persulfate solutions were diagnosed with an occupational disease. Methacrylates, colophonium-related substances, amine hardeners, ethanolamines, glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, pyrocatechol and ammonium thioglycolate did not elicit any relevant prick test reactions. No generalized reactions were detected. Prick tests can be safely used for diagnosing contact urticaria, asthma and rhinitis caused by isocyanates, chloramine-T, persulfates, and chlorhexidine, but the results should be carefully interpreted and related to clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests.

Occupational asthma, rhinitis, and contact urticaria caused by oxidative hair dyes in hairdressers

BackgroundOxidative hair dyes commonly contain paraphenylene diamine (PPD) and its derivatives, a well-known cause of delayed hypersensitivity among both consumers and hairdressers. They are also considered possible causes of occupational respiratory diseases. Despite the widespread use of hair dyes, there are only a few reports of asthma, rhinitis, and contact urticaria caused by PPD and related compounds. ObjectiveTo characterize patients with occupational asthma, rhinitis, or contact urticaria associated with oxidative hair dyes and to evaluate the diagnostic methods. MethodsWe reviewed the patient files of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health for the period January 1, 2001, through May 31, 2011, to identify patients diagnosed as having asthma, rhinitis, or contact urticaria associated with oxidative hair dyes. The diagnoses of asthma and rhinitis were based on specific inhalation challenges with hair dye products. Skin prick tests were performed with hair dye ingredients as hapten conjugates of human serum albumin and with hair dye products and ingredients as is. Open skin tests confirmed the diagnosis of contact urticaria. ResultsWe describe 11 hairdressers with occupational asthma (5 cases), rhinitis (5 cases), and contact urticaria (3 cases) due to hair dyes. Of the 52 specific inhalation challenges performed, 9 (17%) had positive results. One patient who experienced an anaphylactic reaction when having her own hair dyed had positive skin prick test results to PPD and toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate. ConclusionHairdressers are at risk for occupational asthma, rhinitis, and contact urticaria due to oxidative hair dyes. Skin prick testing may be insensitive for detecting immediate hypersensitivity to PPD and related compounds.

Occupational rhinitis, asthma, and contact urticaria caused by hydrolyzed wheat protein in hairdressers

Hydrolyzed wheat protein (HWP) is a common ingredient in food and cosmetic products. Immediate hypersensitivity to HWP has been reported,1,2 and HWP present in foods may cause severe allergic reactions.3 HWP in cosmetic products has been reported to cause allergic contact urticaria (CU)1,4 and even to induce wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) in consumers.5

U.K. standards of care for occupational contact dermatitis and occupational contact urticaria.

The diagnosis of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) and occupational contact urticaria (OCU) is a process that involves fastidious clinical and occupational history taking, clinical examination, patch testing and skin-prick testing. A temporal relationship of work and/or the presence of a rash on the hands only raises suspicion of an occupational cause, and does not necessarily confirm an occupational causation. The identification of allergy by patch or prick tests is a major objective, as exclusion of an offending allergen from the environment can contribute to clinical recovery in the individual worker and avoidance of new cases of disease. This can be a complex process where allergens and irritants, and therefore allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, may coexist. This article provides guidance to healthcare professionals dealing with workers exposed to agents that potentially cause OCD and OCU. Specifically it aims to summarize the 2010 British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) systematic review, and also to help practitioners translate the BOHRF guideline into clinical practice. As such, it aims to be of value to physicians and nurses based in primary and secondary care, as well as occupational health and public health clinicians. It is hoped that it will also be of value to employers, interested workers and those with responsibility for workplace standards, such as health and safety representatives. Note that it is not intended, nor should it be taken to imply, that these standards of care override existing statutory and legal obligations. Duties under the U.K. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation and guidance must be given due consideration, as should laws relevant to other countries.