Screening survey of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin symptoms in manicurists in Poland.

Objectives: Manicurists are exposed to various chemicals in nail and skin care products and may develop ocular, nasal, respiratory or skin adverse reactions to them. To investigate the occurrence of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin problems among manicurists and to identify their causal factors, particularly allergic etiology and occupational origin.

Material And Methods: Manicurists employed in beauty salons in the central region of Poland were invited to fill in the questionnaire and undergo medical examination, skin prick tests with common aeroallergens, patch tests with European Baseline Series and (Meth)Acrylates Series-Nails and spirometry.

ESSCA results with the baseline series, 2002-2012: p-phenylenediamine.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by p-phenylenediamine (PPD) is common among all age groups and both sexes. Monitoring of prevalence and intensity of sensitization is important.

Objective: To evaluate contact allergy to PPD in Europe, and to compare reaction intensities in different European regions.

ESSCA results with the baseline series, 2009-2012: rubber allergens.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber allergens is common, and causes significant patient morbidity. Contemporary data are important to allow appropriate preventive measures and identification of contact allergy trends.

Objectives: To describe the pattern of patch test reactivity to rubber allergens, including those in the European baseline series.

[Preservatives as important etiologic factors of allergic contact dermatitis].

Background: Preservatives present in cosmetics and other industrial products can cause allergic contact dermatitis. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of allergy to selected preservatives in consecutive patients examined due to contact dermatitis in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, and to establish whether individuals sensitized to formaldehyde react simultaneously to formaldehyde releasers.

Material And Methods: A group of 405 patients (308 females and 97 males) was examined in 2011-2013.

[Isothiazolinones as causal factors of contact allergy epidemics in the 20th and 21st centuries].

Chloromethylisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) have been widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, household products and industrial products since the late 1970s. First cases of contact allergy to the MCI/MI combination were noted in 1980-1982 in Sweden. Then, a significant increase in the frequency of sensitization to these compounds was observed in many European centers.

Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam.

Objectives: To evaluate sensitization to chemicals present in work environment after an outbreak of contact dermatitis in workers of vehicle equipment factory, exposed to polyurethane foam, based on 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).

Material And Methods: From among 300 employees, 21 individuals reporting work-related skin and/or respiratory tract symptoms underwent clinical examination, patch testing, skin prick tests, spirometry and MDI sIgE measurement in serum. Patch tests included isocyanates series, selected rubber additives, metals, fragrances, preservatives, and an antiadhesive agent.

[Manicurists and pedicurists - occupation group at high risk of work-related dermatoses].

In recent years occupational skin and respiratory diseases have been more and more frequently diagnosed in small production and service enterprises. The awareness of occupational exposure and its possible health effects among their workers and employers is not sufficient. Beauty salons, in addition to hairdressers and beauticians, frequently employ manicurists and pedicurists.

[Impact of wet work on epidermal barrier (tewl and stratum corneum hydration) and skin viscoelasticity in nurses].

Background: Nurses are prone to develop hand eczema due to occupational exposure to irritants, including wet work. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of wet work on selected skin properties, reflecting epidermal barrier function--transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration--and additionally skin viscoelasticity, in nurses.

Material And Methods: Study subjects included 90 nurses employed in hospital wards.

Influence of phototherapy in psoriasis on Ki-67 antigen expression: a preliminary study.

Antigen Ki-67 is a non-histone nuclear protein, closely connected with cell proliferation. Determining Ki-67 allows for a quick and reliable evaluation of the growth fraction of the studied cell population. It serves as a marker of proliferative activity in neoplasms and other diseases with excessive cell proliferation such as psoriasis.

Occupational contact dermatitis to acrylates in a manicurist.

We report the case of a manicurist who developed an allergic skin reaction to acrylates, manifested by bullous lesions on fingertips and eczema of the hands and ears. Patch tests showed positive reactions to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexandiol diacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and triethyleneglycol diacrylate. Because of her skin disorder, she had to give up her job.

[Adverse cutaneous reactions induced by exposure to woods].

Various adverse cutaneous reactions may occur as a result of exposure to wood dust or solid woods. These include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis and, more rarely, contact urticaria, photoallergic and phototoxic reactions. Also cases of erythema multiforme-like reactions have been reported.

Occupational allergy to squid (Loligo vulgaris).

Occupational allergy from exposure to squid has been rarely described, mainly as contact dermatitis or urticaria. Our report presents the first case of occupational asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and contact urticaria to squid in a 33-year-old seafood production worker, with documented increased eosinophilia in the nasal and tear fluids after specific inhalation challenge test (SICT) with squid. IgE-mediated sensitization to squid was confirmed by positive skin prick test and opened skin test with squid extract.

Allergy to orthopedic metal implants - a prospective study.

Objectives: Evaluation of the allergenic properties of the metal knee or hip joint implants 24 months post surgery and assessment of the relation between allergy to metals and metal implants failure.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted in two stages. Stage I (pre-implantation) - 60 patients scheduled for arthroplasty surgery.

Tissue reaction to the nickel implants in the guinea pigs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of local tolerance to nickel implants during 9 months observation in guinea pigs sensitized to nickel before implantation and non-sensitized ones.

Materials And Methods: Three groups of guinea pigs were included in the study: 10 sensitized to nickel by the guinea pig maximization test; 10 previously non-sensitized and 10 in control group. In 20 animals (except control group) the nickel implants were inserted in the muscle of the back.