Contact allergy to oxidised geraniol may be over-represented in individuals with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous overrepresentations of contact allergies and photocontact allergies are common in individuals with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen. AIMS: To investigate whether contact allergy to oxidised (ox.) geraniol, geraniol, geranial, neral and citral is overrepresented in individuals with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen. METHODS: The contact allergy rates to ox. geraniol, geraniol, geranial, neral and citral in routinely patch tested dermatitis patients were compared with the corresponding rates in individuals with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen. RESULTS: Allergic patch test reactions were noted to ox. geraniol 11% (n = 39, 5.8%), ox. geraniol 6% (n = 12, 1.8%), geraniol 6% (n = 2, 0.3%), geranial (n = 18, 2.7%), neral (n = 7, 1.0%) and citral (n = 15, 2.2%). In those four patients who were diagnosed with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen during the test period, a significant overrepresentation (p = 0.020) of simultaneous contact allergy to ox. geraniol 11% was demonstrated. Overrepresentation of simultaneous contact allergy to various combinations of ox. geraniol, ox. limonene and ox. linalool was also noted in ketoprofen-photoallergic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Contact allergy to ox. geraniol, geranial and citral is common in routinely tested dermatitis patients. There is an overrepresentation of simultaneous contact allergy to ox. geraniol, ox. limonene and ox. linalool in patients with photocontact allergy to ketoprofen.

Oral lichenoid lesions in two snuff users with contact allergy to carvone.

BACKGROUND: Contact allergy to the mint-tasting flavour carvone has been observed in patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLL). Mint-flavoured products such as toothpaste frequently contain carvone. Snuff is a smokeless tobacco product that is chewed or placed in the mouth rather than smoked. In Sweden, the use of snuff and its flavoured versions is extremely common. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the consumption of mint-flavoured snuff is associated with contact allergy to carvone and subsequently plays a role in the aetiology of OLL. METHODS: Regarding the two patients, patch testing with snuff pouches was performed. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis were used for identification of carvone in different snuff samples. RESULTS: Two patients with OLL were contacted allergic to carvone when patch tested. Both were using mint-flavoured snuffs several hours a day for many years. One patient was contacted allergic to the snuff pouch tested as is. Carvone was detected in the snuff samples of both patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patients were recommended to avoid the use of mint-flavoured snuffs, toothpaste and foodstuffs. At follow-up 3 months later, the patients had a dramatic clinical improvement of the OLL and oral symptoms. Exposure to mint-flavoured snuffs can be overlooked as a possible aggravating/provoking factor in OLL.