Occupational and non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis from beryllium.

There are various references to sensitization to beryllium in the literature. Since introducing a patch testing series for patients with suspected sensitization to metals, we have found 3 cases of sensitization to beryllium. Of these 3 cases, we regard the first 2 as having relevant sensitization.

New trends in the use of metals in jewellery.

Owing, on the one hand, to the constant increase in the %s of nickel sensitization in the majority of allergy departments of dermatology and, on the other, to the fact that sensitization to nickel is almost always through contact with jewellery and imitation jewellery, an update was carried out on the metal alloys principally used in the manufacture of such jewellery (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, watch straps, etc.) The conclusions of this review demonstrate that nickel is irreplaceable in the majority of the alloys, because of its excellent technical properties and low price and, as a result, the % of sensitizations to this allergen will not only maintain their present high level but will probably increase in the future.

Contact dermatitis caused by intermediate products in the manufacture of clenbuterol, ranitidine base, and ranitidine hydrochloride.

Clenbuterol, a beta antagonist, and ranitidine, a histamine-receptor antagonist, were associated with contact dermatitis in a chemist. The allergen in the former was an intermediate in the synthesis called beta. In the latter, intermediates and the finished base and hydrochloride were responsible.

[Nickel, chromium and cobalt release from a metal prosthesis in metal-sensitive patients].

Six rejected stainless steel hip prostheses that had been removed from 15 metal sensitive patient were immersed in different solutions in various containers and maintained at 37 degrees C in complete darkness. Two months later by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometric studies we were able to determine the amount of nickel, chrome and cobalt released in a saline solution. When the chromium oxide passivation coat of the metal prostheses is damaged by orthopaedic surgical implantation procedures the prostheses may rust, releasing metallic ions.

Contact dermatitis from nickel: an investigation of its sources.

Patch tests with the GEIDC standard series of allergens, and with 8 washers made of copper, nickel, nickel-palladium, palladium, brass, bronze, gold and iron, were carried out in 964 consecutive patients who complained of intolerance to metals and in 200 controls who did not. All subjects were also questioned as to personal and family history of atopy, occupational contact and intolerance to gold. The results provide support for the substitution of nickel in imitation jewelry with metals such as palladium or bronze.