Patch test reactions to cosmetic allergens in 1995-1997 and 2000-2002 in Finland--a multicentre study.

Contact sensitivity to cosmetics is common, but the sensitizing chemicals vary between countries and study periods. The present survey aimed at revealing the recent trends in patch test sensitivity with cosmetic chemicals in Finland. We report a retrospective multicentre survey of patch test reactions focusing on cosmetic-related substances and comparing the test results in 1995-97 with those in 2000-02. The most striking increases in the frequency of the patch test sensitivity were found with balsam of Peru and propolis from 4.0% to 6.2% (P < 0.001) and from 0.5% to 1.4% (P < 0.001), respectively, whereas the most prominent decreases were found with methylchloro/methylisothiazolinone and chlorhexidine diglugonate from 2.4% to 1.3% (P < 0.001) and from 1.2% to 0.5% (P < 0.001), respectively. The level of patch test sensitivity to methyldibromo glutaronitrile increased, although not significantly, from 1.0% to 1.5%. An increasing tendency was also found with hair dye chemicals 4-aminophenol and toluene-2,5-diamine or toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate from 1.3% to 3.8% and from 1.4% to 5.2%, respectively, while such a tendency was not found among permanent wave chemicals. The sensitivity level of fragrance mix remained the same (6% - 7%). We conclude that surveys revealing the state of sensitivity to cosmetic chemicals should be performed periodically in different countries.

Patch test sensitization to Compositae mix, sesquiterpene-lactone mix, Compositae extracts, laurel leaf, Chlorophorin, Mansonone A, and dimethoxydalbergione.

BACKGROUND: Compositae mix and sesquiterpene-lactone (SL) mix are important patch test substances to show allergic contact dermatitis from various Compositae plants. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are to calculate the sensitization rates to Compositae mix and SL mix in an occupational dermatology clinic and to describe cases of active sensitization caused by patch testing with Compositae mix and SL mix. METHODS: Conventional patch testing was performed. SL mix (0.1%) and Compositae mix (6% in petrolatum) were tested in a modified European standard series and a plant allergen series. Testing with other appropriate patch test series was also performed. RESULTS: SL mix provoked 8 allergic patch test reactions (0.7%) in 1,076 patients, whereas Compositae mix was positive in 15 of 346 patients (4.2%). Three patients were actively sensitized to Compositae mix and 1 patient to SL mix. One patient was also sensitized to other plant allergens in a series of allergenic plant chemicals, namely to Mansonone A, an ortho-quinone; (R)-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione, a quinone; and Chlorophorin, a hydroxy stilbene. Allergic patch test reactions to laurel leaf were caused by cross-sensitization to SLs. CONCLUSION: Compositae mix seems to be a more important patch test substance than SL mix to detect allergic contact dermatitis to Compositae plants, but patch testing may sensitize. The concentration of the individual components of the Compositae mix should be adjusted so that the mix detects allergic patients but does not sensitize.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dusts.

Exposure to wood dusts may cause various skin and mucosal symptoms. Allergic dermatoses, caused by wood dusts, diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during 1976-1999 are reported here. 16 had allergic contact dermatitis and, 2 had contact urticaria. 9 men (3 cabinet makers, 3 joiners, 1 carpenter, 1 knifemaker and 1 machinist) were mainly exposed to tropical hardwoods. 1 man had dermatitis caused by western red cedar. 5 patients, 3 men and 2 women, were exposed to Finnish pine or spruce dusts, and 1 man to aspen. 7 also had rhinitis, 4 asthma or dyspnoea and 3 conjunctivitis. On patch testing, 10 men reacted to 9 different wood dusts, including teak (5), palisander (3), jacaranda (2), mahogany (2), walnut (2) and obeche (1). Reactions to wood allergens, including lapachol (2), deoxylapachol (1), (R)-3,4-dimethoxydahlbergione (2), 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (1), mansonone A (2) and salicyl alcohol (1), were noted in 4 cases. All but 1 of 5 patients exposed to pine or spruce dusts reacted to the sawdusts, all 5 to colophonium, 3 to abietic acid, 2 to tall oil resin, 3 to wood tar mix and 4 to other wood gum resins. Of the 2 CU patients, 1 was prick and RAST positive to obeche, 1 reacted with urticarial dermatitis to punah wood dust on chamber exposure. Occupational allergic dermatoses are mainly caused by the dusts of hardwoods, mostly due to Type IV allergy, but may also be caused by softwood dusts. Patch tests can be done with wood dusts, but should be confirmed by patch testing with wood allergens if possible.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices.

About 1000 patients were investigated at our clinic during 1991-1995 for occupational skin disease, and 5 had occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. The patients were chefs, or kitchen, coffee room, and restaurant workers. All patients had hand (or finger) dermatitis. The causative spices were: garlic, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove. The same patients also had allergic patch test reactions to foods: tomato, lettuce and carrot. Paprika elicited a weak allergic patch test reaction in 2 patients. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices is relatively rare, but needs to be taken into consideration in patients who have hand dermatitis, and work with spices and foods. Patch testing with spices as is is useful, but testing with dilutions in pet, may be needed to confirm that the patch test reactions are allergic. Patients also need to be prick tested with spices and foods.