Contact Eczema (contact + eczema)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Multicentre study of fragrance allergy in Hungary

CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2002
Immediate, late type reactions
The authors followed the frequency of fragrance contact sensitization in Hungary in a multicentre study in the years 1998 and 1999. A total of 3604 patients were tested with fragrance mix (FM), and positive reactions were observed in 294 (8.2%). In 160 FM hypersensitive patients, the study was continued with patch testing of the mix constituents (cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, hydroxycitronellal, geraniol, isoeugenol, oak moss absolute). Of the patients tested, 70.6% produced positive reactions to the constituents. FM contact sensitization was mainly observed in female patients (74.4%). The incidence of contact urticaria in FM hypersensitive patients was 6.1%. Simultaneous patch test trials of other environmental contact allergens, in both early and late evaluations, mainly confirmed hypersensitivity reactions to balsams. Female dominance of hypersensitivity reactions observed during testing the individual components of the mix was striking (82.4%). In positive skin reactions, cinnamic alcohol, isoeugenol and oak moss provoked skin symptoms most frequently. We also tested the 104 patients who produced negative reactions to FM with the constituent individual allergens, with 11.9% positive incidence. The clinical symptoms of the patients were above all manifest in the form of contact eczema, located on the hands, face, eyelids and axillae. With this study, the authors, members of the Hungarian Contact Dermatitis Research Group, call attention to one of the most frequent allergens in the environment. [source]


Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a marker for dysregulated keratinocyte differentiation in human skin

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2002
Lotus Mallbris
Abstract: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25-kDa protein initially isolated from the specific granules of human neutrophils. It is a member of the highly heterogeneous lipocalin protein family, which shares a common tertiary structure. Its synthesis is induced in gastrointestinal epithelium in association with inflammation and malignancy. To gain insight into its potential role in other epithelia we have investigated the expression of NGAL in human skin embryonic development, in normal adult skin, and in skin associated with inflammation and neoplastic transformation. In the present study we report that the embryonic expression of NGAL appears to be regulated in a spatio-temporal pattern. It was induced in the interfollicular epidermis at 20,24 weeks of gestational age but thereafter progressively receded towards the hair follicles. In normal adult skin, NGAL was detected solely in association with hair follicles. However, strong induction of NGAL in the epidermis was seen in a variety of skin disorders characterized by dysregulated epithelial differentiation such as psoriasis, pityriasis rubra and squamous cell carcinoma. In these tissues production of NGAL was confined to spatially distinct subpopulations of keratinocytes underlying areas of parakeratosis, whereas skin samples lacking parakeratotic epithelium such as lichen ruber planus, acute contact eczema and basal cell carcinoma were negative for NGAL. Consistent with being a marker for disturbed terminal differentiation, NGAL immunoreactivity showed an inverse pattern when compared with that of the differentiation marker filaggrin. The biologic functions of NGAL in epithelia are not fully known, although an immunomodulatory role in host defense has been proposed. In addition, the transient interfollicular NGAL expression during skin embryogenesis along with the induction of NGAL in adult parakeratotic epidermis suggests it play a role in epithelial differentiation pathways. [source]


A 7-step consultation plan for health care workers and hairdressers

JOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 9 2007
Stephanie Soost
Summary Background: Skin diseases are among the most common occupational disor-ders in health care workers and hairdressers. Optimal prevention methods make it possible for more individuals to remain active in their profession. We devised a 7-step consultation plan which was employed in a standard fashion and then evaluated. Patients and Methods: 264 employes were evaluated in the Education and Support Center of the German Accident Prevention and Insurance Association in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW schu.ber.z Berlin) from 2003 to 2005 in a standardized manner. Included were detailed history, physical examination, skin physiology measurements (transepidermal water loss, corneometry, sebumetry) and then making a diagnosis and therapeutic recommendations. Results: Within the study group of 264 employes the most frequent diagnosis were toxic-irritant hand eczema (28.4%), allergic contact eczema (19.7%), atopic eczema (15.5%) and irritant contact eczema with atopic diathesis (13.6%). The frequency of contact sensitivity was high in the study group (80.7%). The skin physiological parameters were not remarkably altered and did not differ between individuals with an atopic diathesis versus without an atopic diathesis. Conclusion: This standardized protocol for a "7-step consultation plan"when applied in a standardized manner offers quality-controlled but also individually-adapted support considering dermatological, educational and occupational aspects. Skin physiology parameters did not provide any further information indicating the need of the development of novel techniques to measure skin barrier function. [source]


Anaesthetists should be aware of delayed hypersensitivity to phenylephrine

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2007
P. Dewachter
Delayed reactions to phenylephrine, used as a mydriatic agent during ophthalmological surgical procedures, are well known. We diagnosed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to phenylephrine included in an ophthalmic insert in a woman presenting, 24 h after surgery, with an acute blepharoconjunctivitis associated with eyelid eczema of the operated eye. The diagnosis was supported by the recognition of clinical symptoms associated with a positive patch test to phenylephrine. Patients who present with previous contact eczema to phenylephrine may develop a generalized eczema if phenylephrine is injected intravenously. Intravenous phenylephrine is increasingly being used in the operating room to treat hypotension. This case report confirms the need for systematic allergological investigation of all drugs and substances administered during the peri-operative period in order to avoid a delayed hypersensitivity reaction occurring after the peri-operative period. Anaesthetists should be aware of the possibility of delayed hypersensitivity reactions involving phenylephrine. [source]