Background: Information on the presence of contact allergens and irritants is crucial for the diagnosis of occupational contact dermatitis. Ingredient lists and Material Safety DataSheets (MSDSs) may be incomplete.
Objectives: To evaluate the workability of a systematic exposure assessment in consecutive patients with suspected occupational contact dermatitis, and to study how it could potentially aid correct diagnostic classification.
Methods: A tool for systematic stepwise assessment of exposures in the work environment was developed, consisting of six steps spanning medical history and workplace visits. The programme included 228 consecutive patients diagnosed with occupational contact dermatitis; all patients underwent a clinical examination, the stepwise exposure assessment, and extensive patch and prick testing.
Results: Of the participants, 48.2% were classified as having occupational allergic contact dermatitis. The diagnosis was made at the stepwise exposure assessment for 50.0% of patients at Step 1 (medical history) and for 34.5% at Step 2 (ingredient labelling/MSDS). We found 132 different occupational allergens of relevance to the patients' eczema, of these, 78.0% were allergens not included in the European baseline series.
Conclusions: Systematic stepwise exposure assessment provides information that results in the identification of occupational allergies caused by allergens not included in the European baseline series in a substantial number of patients.
Background: The European Photopatch Testing Baseline Series (EPTBS) was published in 2013. However, limited data exist regarding the real-world clinical application of the EPTBS.
Objectives: This study aims to describe the photopatch test experience with the EPTBS over 11 years at a tertiary hospital in Spain.
Patch testing reactions can be difficult to interpret in patients with skin of color (higher Fitzpatrick skin types [FSTs]) due to limited erythema or vesiculation. Missed reactions may lead to prolonged allergic contact dermatitis duration and prevent disease clearance in this population. To compare the frequency of borderline patch test reactions in patients with different FSTs (I, II, III, IV, V, VI).
Panthenol, a vitamin B5 derivative, is a key precursor in the synthesis of fatty acids that maintain epithelial function. Its ability to aid in moisturization, skin barrier restoration, and wound healing has led to its frequent incorporation into personal care products and pharmaceuticals-many of which are marketed to be hypoallergenic. While contact allergy to panthenol is rather uncommon, rates of positive reactions are on the rise, increasing from 0.
From the Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
Background/objectives: Eyelid allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) attributed to ophthalmic medications is often underreported, which can result in poor outcomes. Patch testing for eyelid ACD requires up-to-date knowledge of potential allergens. The aim of this study was to investigate allergens in ophthalmic medicaments in New Zealand.
