Age and sex incidence of allergic contact dermatitis

A retrospective study of patients patch tested between 1968 and 1970 was undertaken and case records of 200 patients with unequivocal positive patch tests were studied for age and sex distribution. There was an overall female preponderance (61%), with 2 peaks of incidence in the 10-20 and 40-50 year age groups in females, but only 1 peak of incidence in the 40-50 year age group in males. There was a steady decline in all sensitivities after the 6th decade of life in both sexes. Nickel sensitivity was more common in females (92%), whereas dichromate sensitivity predominated in males (64%). Of the 200 patients, only 5(2.5%) were atopics, all of whom were females.     

Effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis

This article reviews the effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). We found that the incidence of ACD in childhood is lower than in adults: this may be explained by less exposure to allergens, lack of immune response and limited patch test studies in this age group. In the elderly, there is an age-dependent decrease in the incidence of ACD, with decreased sensitization to new allergens and waning responses in previously sensitized subjects. There is extensive controversy about the effect of sex differences in ACD. The induction phases of ACD in both sexes are different due to differences in exposure to the allergens from occupations, habits and cultures. Differences in elicitation phases of ACD in both sexes are not confirmed. Women tend to have a higher incidence of ACD and higher immunologic response to exposure allergens than men. Thus we can only imprecisely define the effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of ACD. Further prospective studies should be done to answer these question.     

The sex of the individual as a factor in allergic contact dermatitis

Exogenous and endogenous factors have been implicated in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD); this review explores the sex of the individual as a possible endogenous factor. While there is a clinical impression that women are more skin-reactive than men, upon review this hypothesis appears oversimplified. This review explores sex differences in controlled testing of adult ACD, occupational ACD and juvenile ACD. Further, geographical location and socioeconomic and cultural factors in relation to sex differences in allergic contact dermatitis are discussed. We conclude that female sex could be a factor predisposing to allergic contact dermatitis not so much because of possible differences in intrinsic skin characteristics between the sexes, but more because of different exposure patterns. This conclusion has practical consequences regarding product labelling requirements, occupational risk assessment and legislation.     

Review of biologics in allergic contact dermatitis

The resistant and recalcitrant nature of severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) makes its management challenging. With advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of ACD, newer therapeutic targets are becoming apparent. In particular, the use of biologics has gained momentum, given the specificity of their action. This article aims to review the presently available data on the use of biologics in ACD. English-language–based literature available on the use of biological therapy was thoroughly probed in the following databases as on October 14, 2019: PubMed, Google Scholar, The Cochrane library, Embase, Scopus, and EBSCO. The following keywords were used: “contact dermatitis”, “allergens”, “delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction”, “biologics”, “biological therapy”, “monoclonal antibodies”, “patch testing”, “TNF-α inhibitors”, “infliximab”, “adalimumab”, “etanercept”, “dupilumab”, “omalizumab”, “secukinumab”, “ustekinumab”, “rituximab”.     

外用茶油对变应性接触性皮炎发生的影响

目的 观察茶油对小鼠变应性接触性皮炎发生的影响。方法 建立二硝基氟苯致小鼠变应性接触性皮炎模型,外用药物进行治疗,观察发生皮炎的小鼠耳片的组织学变化（HE染色）,RT-PCR检测组织中炎症细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ mRNA的表达水平。结果 成功建立二硝基氟苯致小鼠变应性接触性皮炎的动物模型,且皮肤中IL-2、IFN-γ mRNA的表达显著增高。哈西奈德溶液组和茶油组的耳片组织肿胀明显减轻,炎症反应轻微,炎性细胞浸润数目少,组织病理变化轻。在茶油和哈西奈德溶液的干预下,炎性组织IL-2、IFN-γ的mRNA表达均不同程度下降。结论 茶油减轻二硝基氟苯致小鼠变应性接触性皮炎的病理损害,下调了炎症因子的表达。     

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from tetrazepam in nurses

Background: Tetrazepam is a muscle relaxant belonging to the benzodiazepine group. Drug eruptions following ingestion of tetrazepam tablets are well known. Objective: To draw the attention to occupational airborne dermatitis and/or hand dermatitis in nurses resulting from crushing of tablets for elderly or disabled people. Methods: Since 2003, 16 nurses with facial (eyelid) and/or hand dermatitis, suspected to be of occupational origin, were patch tested with the medication they handled during work. Results: Ten nurses presented with a positive patch test reaction to tablets containing tetrazepam, 14 controls remaining negative. Some of them also reacted to other drugs. Conclusion: Occupational airborne and/or hand contact dermatitis from tetrazepam might be much more common than suspected by dermatologists, particularly in view of the short period in which all cases have been observed.     

Textile dye allergic contact dermatitis prevalence

This article summarizes textile dye prevalence studies and makes recommendations for advancing knowledge about textile-dye sensitization. Prevalence data is provided by study and by dye. Dermatology teams are encouraged to conduct textile-dye prevalence studies in countries other than Italy, include dyes for which the least prevalence data has been collected, to standardize method of application and reading, and to verify purity and identity of dyes used for patch testing. Testing with pure dyes and other chemicals in dye formulations should provide insights in choosing dye systems that will decrease sensitization.     

Para-chloro-meta-xylenol allergic contact dermatitis in seven individuals

Seven individuals are discussed who developed allergic contact dermatitis following sensitization to the antibacterial agent parachlorometaxylenol (chloroxylenol, PCMX) contained in either medicated Vaseline or in electro-cardiogram paste. The hazard of PCMX sensitization is great in that this chemical is present in over 30 "across the counter" products. PCMX sensitive people may cross-react to chlorocresol.     

Influence of skin peeling procedure in allergic contact dermatitis

Background:  The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis in patients who have previously undergone skin peeling has been rarely studied.
Objectives:  We compared the frequency of positive patch test (PT) reactions in a patient group with a history of peeling, to that of a control group with no history of peeling.
Patients/Methods:  The Korean standard series and cosmetic series were performed on a total of 262 patients. 62 patients had previously undergone peeling and 200 patients did not.
Results:  The frequency of positive PT reactions on Korean standard series was significantly higher in the peeling group compared with that of the control group ( P  < 0.05, chi-square test). However, the most commonly identified allergens were mostly cosmetic-unrelated allergens. The frequency of positive PT reactions on cosmetic series in the peeling group was higher than that of the control group, but lacked statistical significance. The frequency (%) of positive PT reactions on cosmetic series in the high-frequency peel group was higher than that of the low-frequency group, but lacked statistical significance.
Conclusion:  It appears peeling may not generally affect the development of contact sensitization. Further work is required focusing on the large-scale prospective studies by performing a PT before and after peeling.