Decreased in vitro cellular response to tetanus toxoid and tuberculin in patients using topical corticosteroids.

Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in inflammatory skin diseases. Corticosteroids penetrate human skin, especially when the penetration barrier is damaged. Whether long-term application of topical corticosteroids can lead to alteration of immune responses is not clear.

Epicutaneous natural rubber latex sensitization induces T helper 2-type dermatitis and strong prohevein-specific IgE response.

In addition to immediate type I allergy symptoms, natural rubber latex allergy may manifest as protein contact dermatitis on the hands of health-care workers and other natural rubber latex glove users. We examined whether repeated application of natural rubber latex on mouse skin causes sensitization to natural rubber latex and dermatitis. Epicutaneous sensitization with natural rubber latex produced a significant influx of mononuclear cells, CD4+ CD3+ cells, and eosinophils to the sensitized skin sites.