Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K.

BACKGROUND: The oxidized forms of the fragrance terpenes limonene and linalool are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Significant rates of contact allergy to these fragrances have been reported in European studies and in a recent worldwide study. Patch testing to oxidized terpenes is not routinely carried out either in the U.K. or in other centres internationally. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of contact allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool in the U.K. METHODS: Between 1 August 2011 and 31 December 2012, 4731 consecutive patients in 13 U.K. dermatology departments were tested for hydroperoxides of limonene 0·3% pet., hydroperoxides of linalool 1·0% pet., stabilized limonene 10·0% pet. and stabilized linalool 10·0% pet. Doubtful (?+) and equivocal (±) reactions were grouped together as irritant reactions. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients (5·0%) had a positive patch test reaction to hydroperoxides of limonene 0·3% pet. and 281 (5·9%) to hydroperoxides of linalool 1·0% pet. Irritant reactions to one or both oxidized terpenes were found in 242 patients (7·3%). Eleven patients (0·2%) had a positive patch test reaction to the stabilized terpenes alone. CONCLUSIONS: This large, multicentre U.K. audit shows a significant rate of allergy to the hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool plus a high rate of irritant reactions. Testing to the oxidized forms alone captures the majority (97·0%; 411 of 422) of positive reactions; testing to nonoxidized terpenes appears to be less useful. We recommend that the hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool be added to an extended baseline patch test series.

Validity studies of the filial anxiety scale.

Factor analytic and construct validity studies were conducted to explore the validity of Cicirelli's (1988) 13-item Filial Anxiety Scale (FAS). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983), and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960), were a part of the investigation. The results offer support for the validity of the FAS subscales and the FAS' usefulness as an instrument for measuring adult children's feelings concerning elder-parent care.

Assessing filial maturity through the use of the Filial Anxiety Scale.

This study was an investigation of a late-in-life stage of development known as filial maturity (Blenkner, 1965). The Filial Anxiety Scale (Cicirelli, 1988) was used in a cross-sectional design to assess whether the filial anxiety of adult caregivers of aging parents varied in a manner consistent with Blenkner's concept. Results clearly supported Blenkner's position that there is a late-in-life period of development during which some individuals experience heightened levels of filial anxiety, or a filial crisis, prompted by the caregiving demands of an aging parent. This crisis is then followed by a significant decrease in anxiety and results in the attainment of a developmental period characterized by filial maturity.