Frequency of sensitization to the individual fragrances of fragrance mix I and II according to the factors included in the MOAHLFA index.

BACKGROUND: Fragrances constitute the second most frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis in Spain. OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of sensitization to the individual fragrances of fragrance mix (FM) I and FM II for each of the demographic and clinical factors included in the MOAHLFA (male, occupational dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, hand dermatitis, leg dermatitis, facial dermatitis, age) index. METHODS: We conducted a 5-year retrospective study in 23 Spanish centres. We identified the patients who had undergone patch testing with a specific fragrance series after reacting positively to fragrance markers in a baseline series. We obtained the MOAHLFA index items in this population, then calculated for each demographic and clinical factor the frequencies of sensitization to the individual fragrances of FM I and FM II. RESULTS: A specific fragrance series was patch tested in 1013 patients. The most frequent allergens in men, women, children, and retired people were Evernia prunastri (16%), geraniol (16.6%), isoeugenol (17.9%), and geraniol (22.4%), respectively. Citral (20.5%) and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) (14.5%) were the most common allergens in occupational eczemas and were also associated with a large proportion of hand and facial dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of sensitization to the individual fragrances of FM I and FM II varies with age, sex, affected body region, and history of occupational or atopic dermatitis.

Maculopapular eruptions associated to COVID-19: A subanalysis of the COVID-Piel study.

A previous study has defined the maculopapular subtype of manifestations of COVID-19. The objective of our study was to describe and classify maculopapular eruptions associated with COVI-19. We carried out a subanalysis of the maculopapular cases found in the previous cross-sectional study. Using a consensus, we defined seven clinical patterns. We described patient demographics, the therapy received by the patient and the characteristics of each pattern. Consensus lead to the description of seven major maculopapular patterns: morbilliform (45.5%), other maculopapular (20.0%), purpuric (14.2%), erythema multiforme-like (9.7%), pytiriasis rosea-like (5.7%), erythema elevatum diutinum-like (2.3%), and perifollicular (2.3%). In most cases, maculopapular eruptions were coincident (61.9%) or subsequent (34.1%) to the onset of other COVID-19 manifestations. The most frequent were cough (76%), dyspnea (72%), fever (88%), and astenia (62%). Hospital admission due to pneumonia was frequent (61%). Drug intake was frequent (78%). Laboratory alterations associated with maculo-papular eruptions were high C-reactive protein, high D-Dimer, lymphopenia, high ferritin, high LDH, and high IL-6. The main limitation of our study was the impossibility to define the cause-effect relationship of each pattern. In conclusion, we provide a description of the cutaneous maculopapular manifestations associated with COVID-19. The cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 are wide-ranging and can mimic other dermatoses.

Perineural Invasion as a Clue to Malignant Behavior in a Dermatofibroma.

Dermatofibroma (DF) represents one of the most common mesenchymal proliferations of the skin. Their recurrence rate, even when incompletely excised, is very low, whereas the atypical, aneurysmal, and cellular variants have recurrence rates of up to 20% each. Extraordinary rare malignant lesions with metastases to lymph nodes and/or lung have been described. We report a 64-year-old woman with a long history (years) of a skin lesion on her right arm that became painful during the last months. Histologically, it consisted of a conventional cellular DF in which perineural invasion was present. Subsequently, the lesion showed a clinically aggressive course with recurrences, sarcomatous transformation, and pulmonary metastases. Given that no predictive morphological features have been identified to separate classical benign DF from rare metastasizing forms, perineural invasion in an otherwise conventional DF could be a histopathologic clue for an adverse prognosis and should provoke a closer clinical follow-up.

Trend of relevant contact allergens of the feet in Spain over a period of 10 years.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) of the feet accounts for approximately 10% of all patch tested patients. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile of patients with feet dermatitis and relevant contact allergens in Spain over a 10-year period. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients with suspected ACD from the GEIDAC (Spanish Research Group on Contact Dermatitis and Cutaneous Allergy) baseline series from eight hospitals in Spain between 2004 and 2014. The clinical data collected from each patient were age, sex, occupation, history of atopic dermatitis, and eczema location. RESULTS: A total of 450 cases clinically presented dermatitis affecting the feet; of these, 41% of were males and 5.6% were suspected to be of occupational origin. As much as 47% were diagnosed with ACD, 20% with atopic dermatitis/dyshidrotic eczema, and 5% with psoriasis. The "feet group" included statistically significantly more females in the age range of 21 to 60 years. The most frequent relevant contact allergens were potassium dichromate, cobalt(II) chloride, p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin, mercapto mix, and mercaptobenzothiazole. CONCLUSIONS: ACD is the most frequent clinical diagnosis of feet dermatitis in our series. The most frequent allergens are similar to those published in other series of foot ACD in Europe and the trend has not changed in the studied decade.

European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): Contact allergies in relation to body sites in patients with allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) database have focused primarily on the prevalence of contact allergies to the European baseline series, both overall and in subgroups of patients. However, affected body sites have hitherto not been addressed. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of contact allergies for distinct body sites in patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). METHODS: Analysis of data collected by the ESSCA (www.essca-dc.org) in consecutively patch tested patients, from 2009 to 2014, in eight European countries was performed. Cases were selected on the basis of the presence of minimally one positive patch test reaction to the baseline series, and a final diagnosis of ACD attributed to only one body site. RESULTS: Six thousand two hundred and fifty-five cases were analysed. The head and hand were the most common single sites that ACD was attributed to. Differences between countries were seen for several body sites. Nickel, fragrance mix I, cobalt and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone were the most frequent allergens reported for various body sites. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct allergen patterns per body site were observed. However, contact allergies were probably not always relevant for the dermatitis that patients presented with. The possibility of linking positive patch test reactions to relevance, along with affected body sites, should be a useful addition to patch test documentation systems.

Sensitization to fragrances in Spain: A 5-year multicentre study (2011-2015).

BACKGROUND: Fragrance chemicals constitute the second most frequent cause of contact allergy in Spain. There are no data available concerning the individual fragrances that are most frequently involved. OBJECTIVES: To describe the diagnostic contribution provided by specific fragrance series to the results obtained with baseline series fragrance markers by correlating the results of both series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a 5-year retrospective study of fragrance marker-positive patients tested with specific fragrance series in 23 Spanish centres. We collected the demographic and clinical characteristics, and compared the results of patch tests obtained from different suppliers. RESULTS: Of 19 588 patients patch tested with the Spanish baseline series, 1590 (8.1%) reacted positively to a fragrance marker. Of these, 1013 (63.7%) were patch tested with a fragrance series, and 664 patients reacted positively to at least one individual fragrance other than hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde. Geraniol was the most frequent allergen. Positive reactions to substances not included in fragrance mix (FM) I or FM II were found in 230 patients. Of the 436 FM I-positive patients and the 419 FM II-positive patients, 184 (42%) and 64 (39.1%), respectively, had no positive reactions to fragrance series. In the case of FM I, negative results were more common when individual fragrances were patch tested at low concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend patch testing all patients positive for any fragrance marker with a specific fragrance series. The correlation between the results of baseline series and fragrance series could be improved by increasing the concentrations of individual fragrances.

Rosacea, microbiome and probiotics: the gut-skin axis.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease involving diverse symptoms with a variable clinical progress which can severely impact the patient's quality of life as well as their mental health. The pathophysiological model of rosacea involves an unbalanced immune system predisposed to excessive inflammation, in addition to vascular and nervous alterations, being certain cutaneous microorganisms' triggers of the symptoms onset. The gut-skin axis explains a bidirectional interaction between skin and gut microbiota in some inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or rosacea. The introduction and consolidation of the next-generation sequencing in recent years has provided unprecedented information about the microbiome. However, the characterization of the gut and skin microbiota and the impact of the gut-skin axis in patients with rosacea has been little explored, in contrast to other inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Furthermore, the clinical evolution of patients with rosacea is not always adequate and it is common for them to present a sustained symptomatology with frequent flare-ups. In this context, probiotic supplementation could improve the clinical evolution of these patients as happens in other pathologies. Through this review we aim to establish and compile the basics and directions of current knowledge to understand the mechanisms by which the microbiome influences the pathogenesis of rosacea, and how modulation of the skin and gut microbiota could benefit these patients.

Successful treatment of generalized elastolytic giant cell granuloma with psoralen-ultraviolet A.

Elastolytic giant cell granuloma (EGCG) is an infrequent granulomatous skin disorder with variable response to different therapeutic regimens. Information on the benefit of phototherapy is very scarce as this therapy has seldom been tried in the affected patients. We present the results achieved in two female patients after undergoing psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA). Two 54-year-old otherwise healthy female patients received a course of PUVA after trying other alternatives. Complete clearance was achieved in the two patients with excellent tolerance and no adverse effects. We consider PUVA is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for patients with EGCG.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by sodium metabisulfite: a challenging allergen: a case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Sulfites, preservatives and antioxidants used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industry are contact allergens whose relevance seems to be difficult to establish. OBJECTIVES: To perform a retrospective study on patients patch tested with a sulfite. Materials and methods. Between 1990 and 2010, 2763 patients were patch tested with sodium metabisulfite. The reactions were considered to be relevant if there was a clear relationship between the dermatitis and sulfite exposure. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four (4.5%) of 2763 patients patch tested positively to sodium metabisulfite. The most frequent localizations of the lesions were the face (40.3%) and the hands (24.2%). Six patients also reported systemic symptoms. Thirteen cases (10.5%) were occupational, 10 of them presenting with hand eczema. Sodium metabisulfite was the single allergen found in 76 cases (61.3%). The reactions were considered to be relevant in 80 cases (64.5%), of which 11 were occupational. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by sulfites is frequent and often relevant. One should be aware of possible relevant sources of exposure, particularly in occupational settings such as hairdressing and the food industry, and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Patch testing with sodium metabisulfite, which seems to be the best indicator for sulfite contact allergy, is also useful in cases of immediate reactions to sulfite-containing products.

Current patch test results with the European baseline series and extensions to it from the 'European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy' network, 2007-2008.

BACKGROUND: The pattern of contact sensitization to the supposedly most important allergens assembled in the baseline series differs between countries, presumably at least partly because of exposure differences. Objectives. To describe the prevalence of contact sensitization to allergens tested in consecutive patients in the years 2007 and 2008, and to discuss possible differences. METHODS: Data from the 39 departments in 11 European countries comprising the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy network (www.essca-dc.org) in this period have been pooled and analysed according to common standards. RESULTS: Patch test results with the European baseline series, and country-specific or department-specific additions to it, obtained in 25 181 patients, showed marked international variation. Metals and fragrances are still the most frequent allergens across Europe. Some allergens tested nationally may be useful future additions to the European baseline series, for example methylisothiazolinone, whereas a few long-term components of the European baseline series, namely primin and clioquinol, no longer warrant routine testing. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis points to 'excess' prevalences of specific contact sensitization in some countries, although interpretation must be cautious if only few, and possibly specialized, centres are representing one country. A comparison as presented may help to target in-depth research into possible causes of 'excess' exposure, and/or consideration of methodological issues, including modifications to the baseline series.

Multiple congenital familial smooth muscle hamartoma in two siblings.

Smooth muscle hamartoma (SMH) is a cutaneous malformation mainly composed of a disorganized proliferation of normal muscle fibers that arise from arrector pili. It usually presents as a single congenital lesion that frequently involves the back and the lower limbs. Unusual clinical presentations, such as atypical localizations, multiple disseminated lesions, and generalized forms have been rarely described. In 2001, Gualandri et al. reported the presence of multiple SMH in three members of the same family, namely two brothers and their mother. This is, as far as we know, the only familial case reported in the English literature. We herein describe a similar case affecting two siblings who presented with identical congenital lesions in the same location.

Disseminated eruptive clear cell acanthoma with spontaneous regression: further evidence of an inflammatory origin?

Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is a benign epidermal lesion with distinctive clinicopathological features. Multiple disseminated eruptive CCA is an infrequent clinical variant that has been rarely reported. It is characterized by the presence of more than 30 lesions from 1 to 10 mm in diameter that appear progressively over the years. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with multiple disseminated eruptive CCA affecting her lower extremities. In contrast to previous reports, most of the lesions appeared in a short period of time (less than a month) and, what is more interesting is that some of them have regressed spontaneously leaving residual hyperpigmentation. At present, the histogenesis and etiology of CCA remain unknown. Accumulating data suggest a reactive origin associated with a variety of different inflammatory conditions. The case presented in this report further substantiates that CCA is indeed a reactive epidermal reaction pattern with an inflammatory etiology.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by isopropyl alcohol: a missed allergen?

BACKGROUND: Isopropyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol, a structural isomer of propanol, that is widely used as an industrial solvent and as a preservative and antiseptic in the clinical environment. It is known to be a mild irritant for the eyes and mucous membranes, but is considered to be a weak and infrequent sensitizer. OBJECTIVES: To show that isopropyl alcohol should be considered as a potential allergen in patients with eczema who have contact with this substance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a series of 1450 patients patch tested with isopropyl alcohol during the period 1992-2011. RESULTS: Forty-four patients showed an allergic response to isopropyl alcohol. Four cases presented as occupational hand eczema. Fourteen cases were seen in patients with leg ulcers. Twenty-six patients presented with eczematous lesions following the use of products containing isopropyl alcohol to disinfect previous skin lesions. Eighty-four per cent of the patients showed sensitization to three or more allergens. Relevance was present in 84% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: We report here the first large case series of contact allergy to isopropyl alcohol, which demonstrates that sensitization to this substance might not be as uncommon as previously thought.

Methylisothiazolinone, an emerging allergen in cosmetics?

BACKGROUND: A few cases on primary sensitization by, and occupational contact dermatitis from, methylisothiazolinone in paints and glues have been published. In cosmetics, methylisothiazoline (MI) is permitted in a concentration of 100 p.p.m., while 15 p.p.m. for the mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazoline (MCI/MI). OBJECTIVES: To present cases of sensitization to, and allergic contact dermatitis from, cosmetic products containing methylisothiazolinone only. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: Seven patients with suspected contact dermatitis - six of them with (peri-)anal lesions and one with facial dermatitis - were patch tested with the baseline series, the own products exposed to, cosmetic ingredients, as well as with methylisothiazolinone 1000 p.p.m. and MCI/MI 200 p.p.m. RESULTS: The patients with anal lesions had become sensitized by wipes for intimate hygiene, and one patient with facial dermatitis by a make-up remover, all containing methylisothiazolinone only. Three out of seven cases would have been missed if only MCI/MI 100 p.p.m., as present in the baseline series, had been tested. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of methylisothiazolinone as a preservative in cosmetics might not represent the solution to the problem of allergic contact dermatitis from isothiazolinones, since it leads to primary sensitization.

Ulcerated dermatofibroma with osteoclast-like giant cells.

BACKGROUND: Ulceration and osteoclast-like giant cells are two pathological features uncommonly seen in dermatofibromas. To our knowledge, the presence of these features has not been previously described within the same lesion. METHODS: We report the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of a 38-year-old man with an ulcerated dermatofibroma (DF) on the sole containing OLGC. COMMENTS: DF, or cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma, is a frequent dermatological lesion with many clinicopathological variants. Therefore, a correct diagnosis is not always straightforward, especially when two rare features co-exist in the same lesion. Differential diagnosis was performed with cutaneous and even non-cutaneous lesions. An explanation for the clinicopathological findings is also described.