A survey of members of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy and the EU project "StanDerm" to identify allergens tested in cosmetic series across Europe.

Background: There is currently no agreed cosmetic series for use across Europe.

Objectives: To establish allergens currently tested in local and national cosmetic series.

Method: Members of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology project TD1206 ("StanDerm") were surveyed to establish their current practice.

Recommendation to include hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate in the British baseline patch test series.

Background: (Meth)acrylates are potent sensitizers and a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The frequency of (meth)acrylate ACD has increased with soaring demand for acrylic nails. A preliminary audit has suggested a significant rate of positive patch tests to (meth)acrylates using aimed testing in patients providing a clear history of exposure.

Metal allergy and second-generation metal-on-metal arthroplasties.

There are concerns about the induction of metal allergy with second-generation metal-on-metal prostheses, and the role that this may play in the development of complications such as 'pseudotumours' or failure of the implant. In this review, we attempt to set out the current knowledge on this subject. From a review of the literature, it is apparent that the first-generation metal-on-metal replacement hips did cause metal sensitization, and that joint failure was associated with this, although it is still not clear which one led to the other.

Female pattern hair loss in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Female pattern hair loss, also known as female androgenetic alopecia, is generally regarded as an androgen-dependent disorder representing the female counterpart of male balding. We describe female pattern hair loss occurring in a patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome suggesting that mechanisms other than direct androgen action contribute to this common form of hair loss in women.

Dermatological emergencies.

Acute dermatological problems are seen regularly by physicians. This review aims to provide a framework for the diagnosis and management of urgent dermatological conditions. Cutaneous drug reactions are commonly seen and the different clinical presentations are discussed including the less common but important drug reactions Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Tear production and corneal sensitivity in diabetes.

Aim: Diabetic patients are at significant risk of developing corneal lesions such as superficial punctate keratitis, recurrent corneal erosions, persistent epithelial defects, and microbial keratitis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus is correlated with both reduced corneal sensation and reduced tear production.

Methods: In 25 type II diabetic patients with a history of retinopathy only and in 25 nondiabetic control subjects (age and sex matched), we performed noncontact corneal aesthesiometry and assessed basal tear production using Schirmer's test with topical anesthesia.