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Water exposure on the skin of the hands has previously been studied in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported water exposure in adolescents in the BAMSE cohort in Stockholm, Sweden. A questionnaire including a question on daily water exposure on the hands was answered by 3,091 adolescents at age 16 years. Exposure < 10 times/day was reported by 28.7% and < 20 times/day by 3.1%; boys had somewhat higher exposure than girls (p = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis, adolescents with dry skin reported higher exposure (adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.7), while no statistically significant exposure differences were found in relation to hand eczema or atopic dermatitis. Reported exposure may be considered as baseline exposure during a period of life with limited occupational and domestic duties.

Sesquiterpene lactone mix detects contact allergy to these compounds present in the plant family Asteraceae. This marker is present in many baseline series. An additional marker is Compositae mix, which is not present in many baseline series. To investigate whether this allergen should be inserted into the Swedish baseline series, six dermatology centres representing the Swedish Contact Dermatitis Research Group included Compositae mix into their baseline series for 1.5 years. Of 2818 patients tested, 31 (1.1%) reacted to Compositae mix and 26 (0.9%) to Sesquiterpene lactone mix. Active sensitization to Compositae mix was noted in two cases. Only 0.4% of Asteraceae contact allergy cases would have been missed if Compositae mix had not been tested, a frequency too low to merit its inclusion in the baseline series. Due to obvious geographical differences in frequency in frequency of simultaneous allergic reactions to Compositae mix and Sesquiterpene lactone mix, the question as to whether specific baseline series (including Compositae mix or not as a "tail" substance) should be used in the different centres must be addressed. Another option could be to remove Sesquiterpene lactone mix from the baseline series and substitute it with Compositae mix.

The repeated open application test is used to assess the clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to ingredients of formulated products. The great variation in outcome is usually claimed to be related to the concentration of the allergen responsible. We have here studied the quantitative aspects, specificity and effect of patch testing on the outcome of the repeated open application test in an animal model, using guinea pigs sensitized with cobalt chloride or colophony. Thresholds of sensitivity were determined before and after the topical treatments. Clear dose-response relationships were established. The reactivity in sham-treated controls and to the vehicles was minimal. The concordance between patch test results and outcome of the use tests was concentration-dependent and at low concentrations < 50%. The repeated open application test is a useful method, but some of the basic issues need further evaluation. This animal model will hopefully serve this purpose.

Multiple sensitivity to metals is often seen in humans. This may be due to cross-reactivity or to multiple sensitization. The pattern of cross-reactivity to some metal compounds was studied, using the guinea pig maximization test method. Animals were induced with K2Cr2O7 and CoCl2, respectively, and then challenged with K2Cr2O7, CoCl2, NiSO4, PdCl2 and RhCl3. No simultaneous reactivity was recorded. This supports the view that simultaneous reactivity in patients to nickel-cobalt and to chromate-cobalt is due to multiple exposure and sensitization, and not to cross-reactivity. The purity of the test compounds was analysed.

Contact allergy to various components in cosmetics may cause eyelid dermatitis. Of 8 mascaras analysed with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), 3 contained colophony. Patients with contact allergy to colophony showed positive patch test reactions when tested with the two mascaras with the highest content of colophony. One mascara without colophony but containing nickel, gave positive reactions in persons with contact allergy to nickel.

Exposure to colour developing agents that are derivatives of p-phenylenediamine, e.g. CD-2 and CD-3, are known to cause lichenoid lesions and allergic contact dermatitis. This study describes the clinical picture, course and patch test results in 24 patients with occupational skin disease caused by colour developing agents. Biopsies for histopathology of the occupationally-induced lesions and/or patch test reactions were obtained in 14 cases. The skin lesions cleared rapidly after exposure to colour developers had ceased. Sixteen patients had to leave their exposed work due to the skin disease. Contact allergy to colour developing agents was found in 23 cases. The clinical and histopathological findings showed that lichen planus and lichen planus-like lesions were common among the dermatoses caused by colour developers. It was not possible to provoke lichenoid lesions by patch testing. The histopathology of the patch test reactions showed dermatitis.