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Essential or fragrant oils are volatile odourous mixtures of organic chemical compounds that are widely used in aromatherapy and in the perfume industry. Because of their frequent use, allergy to essential oils is being increasingly recognized. We report 2 cases of multiple allergies to essential oils in professional aromatherapists. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyse the oils in order to identify a common allergen responsible for the contact dermatitis. In both the cases, α- and β-pinene were found to be the most common constituent in the oils and thus appeared to be key allergens. α-pinene was confirmed as an allergen on repeat patch testing with pure α-pinene in both cases. 12 controls tested were negative for the same. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was found to be an extremely useful tool that could be utilized in investigating multiple allergies to essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses cases of exercise-induced vasculitis in golfers.

The article reports on an alternative method for the prevention of regurgitation in the patients undergone subcutaneous oesophageal grafts. It informs that colon interposition grafting, an oesophageal substitute, is used for several conditions including oesophageal atresia and malignancy. The technique of occlusion of lumen of the graft by applying direct pressure using the palm of the hand is recommended for patients in which oesophagus substitutes have been placed subcutaneously.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the successful treatment of Zoon's balanitis with topical tacrolimus.

The article cites a case study related to gum arabic sensitivity associated with epidemic hysteria dermatologica. Gum arabic, a complex calcium, magnesium and potassium salt of arabic acid, is obtained from the legume, Acacia senegal. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry making tablets and in the food industry as a thickener and emulsifier. In this case, the sporadic occurrence of gum arabic sensitivity did not necessitate allergens replacement. The associated positive patch tests with balsam of Peru and fragrance mix may represent cross reaction with gum arabic.

The article presents a case study of a patient in whose contact dermatitis case patch testing with an allergen failed to provoke positive reaction due to coeliac diseases. In 1970, a 50-year-old female presented with an itching eruption over arms. Examinations revealed excoriations but no firm diagnosis was made and her symptoms settled with topical treatment. This symptoms again reappeared in years 1975 and 1978. Negative results were obtained against the European Standard Series, a selection of azo dyes and portions of material from her clothes. Soon after she was referred to a gastroenterologist in view of previous folate deficiency and she commenced a gluten-free diet. In the year 1982 again, similar symptoms appeared and patch tests were carried out as previously which gave positive results.