Allergy to tetramethylthiuram disulphide, a component of pesticides and rubber.

Since 1970 patch tests have been carried out on 39,420 consecutive patients with contact dermatitis using two rubber accelerators: dimercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) and tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD). The second substance is also a component of pesticides. Over the years, the incidence of sensitivity to these substances was similar. But in the recent years the incidence of TMTD sensitivity began rising. This fact is explained by more frequent use of rubber gloves connected with AIDS prophylaxis. Independently of this, it was found that a part of alcoholic patients treated with disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulphide) showed a cross-reaction to TMTD.

[Some clinical symptoms and allergens on asthma-prurigo syndrome]. / Niektóre objawy kliniczne oraz alergeny w zespole asthma-prurigo.

The group of 146 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome (85 adults and 64 children) have been inquired in many various clinical centers. It was established that in 79.6% of the patients the first symptoms of illness appeared already in infancy and only 28.2% of the patients had negative familiar anamnesis on the allergy. In 73.2% of the patients with asthma-prurigo syndrome the symptoms of atopic dermatitis persisted longer than asthma symptoms and in 89.9% of them asthma-prurigo symptoms accompanied other form of allergic diseases. The most important causal allergens provoking asthma-prurigo symptoms were: house dust (in 64.4% of the patients), chocolate (in 42.2%), cat epithelia (in 40.2%) and cow milk proteins (in 29.5% of the patients).

[Changeability of respiratory tract and skin symptoms in patients with asthma-prurigo syndrome under the influence of emotional and environmental factors]. / Zmiennosc nasilenia objawów ze strony dróg oddechowych i skóry u chorych z zespolem asthma-prurigo pod wplywem czynników emocjonalnych i srodowiskowych.

In a group of 228 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome the influence of emotional state, permanent residence and season time on dynamic of the clinical symptoms were studied. The evaluation of emotional state in 80 adult patients was carried-out by means of Eysenck Personality Inventory. The emotional state had less negative influence on the exacerbation of the symptoms upon children then in adults (especially on their skin symptoms). It was confirmed that the patients with high level of neurotic symptoms revealed easier the exacerbation of asthma and skin disorders under the influence of emotional stress. The climatic treatment on the sea-side was more efficient for them than any mountain climatic cure, especially in the treatment of airways symptoms. Similarly, the summer season brought the relief of their symptoms from both the respiratory and skin symptoms.