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Presents a case of contact dermatitis from anti-inflammatory gel containing hydroxyethyl salicylate in a 62-year-old woman with chronic venous insufficiency. Contact sensitivity to hydroxy-ethyl salicylate; Use of salicylates in many topical analgesics.

The causative agent of thimerosal allergy (sodium ethylmercury thiosalicylate) has not previously been thoroughly investigated. To evaluate whether the organic mercury component or the thiosalicylic acid molecule induces thimerosal sensitization. 23 patients positive to thimerosal were patch tested with ethylmercuric chloride, thiosalicylic acid and 8 different derivatives of mercury. To date, ethylmercuric chloride has not been tested in thimerosal allergy. 19/23 patients (82%) showed positive patch test reactions to ethylmercuric chloride. 4/23 patients negative to ethylmercuric chloride reacted positively to thimerosal 0.1% but not to thimerosal 0.05%, 8/23 patients (35%) also reacted to other mercurials. 20 controls negative to thimerosal showed negative patch lest reactions in ethylmercuric chloride. Neither patients nor controls reacted to thiosalicylic acid. These results indicate that testing with thimerosal 0.1% leads to false-positive reactions and that the ethyl mercury component is the responsible agent in thimerosal allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thimerosal, synthesized from ethylmercuric chloride and thiosalicylic acid is, besides nickel, one of the two most frequent contact allergens. Recently, ethylmercuric chloride has been reported to be the responsible agent in thimerosal hypersensitivity. On routine patch testing, a high incidence of positive patch test reactions to thimerosal was observed, although in most cases, patients neither showed nor reported symptoms that could be related to thimerosal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency and relevance of positive patch test reactions to thimerosal, as well as to its two components, ethylmercuric chloride and thiosalicylic acid and to correlate these results with the particular diagnoses of patients.

The article presents information on a case of contact dermatitis from cloxyguin. Cloxyquin is an antimicrobial used in creams and topical solutions. A sixty-eight year old women dislocated her shoulder and was supplied with a bandage for 3 weeks. During this period, cutaneous mycosis developed at the bandage site and she was treated with an antimycotic cream by her general practitioner. The cream contained cloxyquin and gentamycin sulfate. After two days of application, severe itchy dermatitis developed. The cream was stopped and the patient sent to an allergy clinic. Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to cloxyquin, but no reaction was seen to the other components of the cream.

The article presents a case report related to contact dermatitis due to henna, Solvent Red 1 and Solvent Red 3. Henna is used worldwide as a red-brown hair dye. The dried leaves from the plant are powdered and mixed with water. The active ingredient, lawsone is also used as a ultra violet radiation-blocker in suntan creams. Contact sensitivity to henna is extremely rare in Europe. A 69 year old male had used a suntan cream for 10 years, on his body in summer and on his face from spring to autumn. He had developed dermatitis on his cheeks and forehead which appeared within hours of using the suntan cream.

Discusses the case of a 32-year-old female patient presenting with thermal contact dermatitis resulting from accidental burning. Patch test results; Clinical characteristics; Proper treatment.

This article presents information on a case study related to generalized urticaria induced by a diethyltoluamide-containing insect repellent in a child. A 4-year-old child was stung by mosquitoes. Shortly afterwards, an insect repellent was applied to his legs and forearms. Minutes later, generalized itch and urticaria developed. Then an anti-histamine was applied. On open-testing, the insect repellent did not react. On prick testing also the insect repellent did not react. Closed patch testing revealed a flat erythematous reaction to the insect repellent.

This article focuses on contact hypersensitivity to iron. 623 patients with suspected hypersensitivity to metals with a series of 21 metal compounds, including ferric chloride and ferrous sulfate. Those positive to iron were further tested, substances being prepared on the basis of molarity and applied in Finn Chambers on Scanpor tape. The reaction to iron salts observed were only moderate in both subjects, mostly erythema and slight infiltration. A reaction to the skin to iron oxides, used as pigments in mascara, tattooing inks and paints, has been shown to be allergic by patch testing.

This article reports on evaluation of cutaneous hypersensitivity to aluminum by routine patch testing with aluminum chloride. Aluminum is considered a weak contact allergen and patch testing with its compounds is rarely performed. Patients reacting to aluminum chloride hexahydrate were tested with an additional series comprising aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide and potassium aluminum sulfate at various concentrations. Aluminum containing antiperspirants have caused itchy axillary dermatitis, described occupational hypersensitivity to aluminum dust.

This article presents a case report on contact dermatitis from jojoba oil and myristyl lactate/maleated soybean oil. The patient had allergic contact dermatitis from Clinique Advanced Cream®, proven in 3 consecutive patch tests over a period of 2 years. Jojoba oil is widely used in cosmetics, such as moisturizers, sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners. Contact dermatitis from myristyl alcohol was also once described. Myristyl lactate did not react singly, though the mixture of myristyl lactate and maleated soybean oil, as used in the product, repeatedly gave positive reactions.

The article presents information on podophyllum, an irritant on patch testing. During patch testing with commercially available plastics, resins and glues series, authors observed apparently positive reaction to podophyllum 1.0% in some cases of suspected allergic contact dermatitis, their interpretation was therefore investigated. Podophyllin is the treatment of choice for condylomata acuminata, but has also been tried in the treatment of psoriasis. The authors concluded that patients and controls showed irritant reactions to each concentration of podophyllum tested.

Pigmentary changes of the skin are an occasional post-inflammatory response. Melanosis as a feature of allergic contact dermatitis has been extensively described by Osmundsen. In Japan and other Asian countries, facial melanosis from cosmetics is well-known. Some of the allergens responsible, such as Brilliant Lake Red or other aso dyes and perfumes, are also used in lipsticks, but hyperpigmentation of the lips seems to be uncommon. There is a strong association between prolonged use of the lipstick and the start of hyperpigmentation, and moderate improvement was reported by the patient after stopping it's use.

This article focuses on allergy to p-aminodiphenylamine. The occurrence of a long-lasting delayed reaction and the strong recall response three days after allergen reapplication strongly indicates active sensitization by the patch test. As hairdressers are known to be at high risk of developing occupational irritant and/or allergic hand dermatitis, pre-employment allergy screening has been introduced as a preventive measure. However, nickel sensitivity or underlying atopy has not been proven to be associated with a higher risk of developing eczema.

A woman presented with chronic dermatitis of the face, with multiple slightly scaly lesions on her forehead, temples, cheek and neck, and pronounced erythema along the entire scalp margin. She was patch tested with a special series of emollients, perfumes, preservatives, acrylates metals and rubber chemicals with negative results. A detailed history revealed frequent use of a cream for skin care, containing dexpanthenol. Patch test with the product yielded positive reaction to dexpanthneol. Sensitization to dexpanthenol is mainly caused by topical medicaments intended to stimulate re-epithelization.