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The latest trends in the use and composition of dental prostheses have been reviewed, and 66 patients referred by dermatologists and odontologists patch tested. The allergen series used were: TRUE Test™ standard series; Chemotechnique dental screening series; specially prepared metals series. The allergens found to be positive, in order of frequency, were: nickel, cobalt, potassium dichromate, rhodium, palladium, mercury, beryllium, methyl methacrylate, copper and zinc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are various references to sensitization to beryllium in the literature. Since introducing a patch testing series for patients with suspected sensitization to metals, we have found 3 cases of sensitization to beryllium. Of these 3 cases, we regard the first 2 having relevant sensitization. Beryllium chloride (1% pet) was positive in 3 patients and negative in 150 controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing, on the one hand, to the constant increase in the %s of nickel sensitization in the majority of allergy departments of dermatology and, on the other, to the fact that sensitization to nickel is almost always through contact with jewellery and imitation jewellery, an update was carried out on the metal alloys principally used in the manufacture of such jewellery (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, watch straps, etc.) The conclusions of this review demonstrate that nickel is irreplaceable in the majority of the alloys, because of its excellent technical properties and low price and, as a result, the % of sensitizations to this allergen will not only maintain their present high level but will probably increase in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patch tests with the GEIDC standard series of allergens, and with 8 washers made of copper, nickel, nickel-palladium, palladium, brass, bronze, gold and iron, were carried out in 964 consecutive patients who complained of intolerance to metals and in 200 controls who did not. All subjects were also questioned as to personal and family history of atopy, occupational contact and intolerance to gold. The results provide support for the substitution of nickel in imitation jewelry with metals such as palladium or bronze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A topical cosmetic cream has been developed for use on patients occupationally sensitized to chromate. With the components of this preparation, an in vitro study was carried out, which demonstrated the efficiency of each component. An in vivo experiment on 25 volunteer patients proved a failure. The formula was modified to produce a new cream. The in vitro and in vivo experiences showed satisfactory results in 60 volunteer patients, 60% of whom benefitted from using it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4 patients with chronic photocontact dermatitis were sensitive to cobalt salts. They presented as cases of contact dermatitis from cement or pig fodder with persistent lesions on exposed areas. Only 2 of them had standard patch test positive reactions to chromate and cobalt, but all showed positive photo-patch tests to cobalt. Photo-oxidation tests proved that cobalt salts are photosensitizing. Exposure to cobalt salts was responsible for the patients' chronic actinic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoamidopropylbetaines are surfactants frequently used on cosmetics. We have evaluated the irritant capacity of 3 different qualitities of cocoamidopropylbetaine, using the following method: patch tests have been carried out with 5 different dilutions in 67 patients and the results read at 2 days by noninvasive methods (direct visualization, transepidermal water loss (TFWL), laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF)). The results with the 3 methods were concordant. However, the results with the different concentrations were paradoxical, as irritancy did not increase at higher concentrations.We have tried to explain this by the fact that these substances contain by-products (free amidoamine and sodium monocholoroacetate), the concentrations tested all being above the critical micelle concentration and therefore containing both micelles and monomer. Finally, we believe that noninvasive methods such as TEWL and LDF could be of great use in the evaluation of irritant contact dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

230 patients with occupational dermatitis in the metallurgic industry were studied with standard patch tests (GEIDC) and an oil series. An occupational and clinical questionnaire survey was carried out. Responses to paraphenylenediamine, chrome, cobalt in the standard series, and benzisothiazolone, triethanolamine, and Grotan BK® were the main positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summarizes research on contact dermatitis compiled as of August 1998. Contact dermatitis due to alstroemeria in guinea pigs; Systemic contact dermatitis due to norfloxacin; Photodermatitis from tetrazepam.

On turpentine being removed from the standard international series, and seeing that the % of positives in Spain were high, the Spanish group decided to study chromatographically the components of turpentine in order to know which of these components is present in the highest proportion. Various samples of turpentine are studied and the results are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents two case studies related to contact dermatitis from lincomycin and spectinomycin in chicken vaccinators. A 27-year-old female had worked as a chicken vaccinator for 4 years. In June 1989, 2 months after using lincomycin for the first time, her fingertips and dorsa of the fingers of both hands began to itch, more so on the right hand. In 5 days, the clinical picture worsened. Erythema and papules appeared on the dorsum of both hands and in 2 days spread to the forearms. Pruritus increased greatly. She stopped work and on treatment with topical corticosteroids and oral antibistamines, her skin cleared within 10 days. Another 27-year-old female had worked on the same farm for 2 years. Previous to this, she had worked as an ironer. She had an allergy to imitation jewellery since the age of 15 years.

This article presents a case study related to contact dermatitis from oak moss. A 30-year-old housewife presented in March 1990 with a 15-day history of dark-brown pigmented lesions in the left periocular region one month previously. She had developed erythematous lesions on both cheeks, more severe on the left, with labial and left palpebral eczema, which had disappeared spontaneously. The only cosmetics she used were an eye shadow and a moisturizing cream. It was not possible to obtain information as to the possible presence of atranorin or oak moss in the fragrance of the patient's moisturizing cream. The manufacturer of the eye shadow denied the presence of either in its composition.

This article discusses a case study related to contact dermatitis from nickel and cobalt in a contact lens cleaning solution. An 18-year-old female with intolerance to imitation jewellery since that age had worn semi-soft contact lenses for 2 years and had used various products to clear them. The last product she used was composed of hydroxymethyl cellulose, polypropylene glycol, hydroxymethyl aminomethane, thimerosal and distilled water. At presentation, the patient had slight erythema and edema on the upper and lower eyelids, with intense conjunctivitis and erythematus papules on the cheeks and perinasal and eyebrow regions.

The article focuses on a case report related to contact dermatitis from resorcinol in a hair dye. A 26 year old woman had worked in a hairdresser's for ten years. She had a history of asthma and intolerance to imitation jewellery. She had dyed her hair for 4 years with the same dye. The last time, 3 months ago, she had intense itching of the hands on contact with certain hair dyes, this was cured for a while on application of a corticosteroid cream. Resorcinol is used in hairdressing as a modifier for a type of dyes.

Allergic contact dermatitis and photoallergic contact dermatitis from NSAID, especially ketoprofen, have both been reported, most recently mainly from Europe and the Mediterranean area. The majority of cases of dermatitis from ketoprofen are photoallergic, those of allergic contact dermatitis being less frequent. The case under study has two particular features. It is a case of allergic contact dermatitis in which, in spite of the possible solar influence, a patch test without irradiation was strongly positive. The intense clinical picture completely spared the area of skin initially atrophied by excessive application of a potent topical steroid. This phenomenon could not be further substantiated as the patient refused a biopsy of the apparently unaffected atrophic area. Otherwise, electron microscopy for Langerhans cells could have been performed.

This article reports on a patient who got erythroderma by using carbamazepine. A 20-year-old male had been treated with haloperidol for Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome for 4 years. 18 days prior to consulting the doctors, he began treatment with carbamazepine 600 mg daily. After 10 days on carbamazepine, he developed a maculo-erythematous eruption, involving the whole skin, which became erythrodermatous, beginning periorally and on the extremities. This cutaneous eruption was accompanied by intense itching, fever, sore throat, arthromyalgia and scapulo-humeral weakness. On examination, there was diffuse scaling, bilateral palpebral oedema, pain, scapulo-humeral weakness and recurrent paralysis. He had a leucocytosis, an eosinophilia, and raised transaminases.

This article presents a case study related to contact dermatitis from swimming goggles. A 42-year-old housewife went swimming on medical advice once a week. 2 weeks previously, an eyelid edema had begun 5 hours after wearing black rubber swimming goggles. The edema disappeared spontaneously after 24 hours. A week later, after wearing the same goggles, the patient immediately noticed intense itching. An intense eczema with erythematous, scaly, exudative lesions and evident eyelid edema appeared 2 hours later.

During an 8-month period, the authors saw 16 workers from a chemical factory that manufactures ranitidine base. Ranitidine base is obtained by distillation in reactors in 4 different phases. The 16 patients were 11 office workers, 2 male chemists, 2 male maintenance workers and 1 female secretary. The authors were able to patch test 11 of the 16 patients. The remainder declined to be patch tested. Patch testing with standard series was carried out in these 11 patients. From the patch-test results, it was concluded that the epidemic of occupational contact dermatitis was caused by ranitidine base.

This article presents 3 case reports related to contact dermatitis to thiourea. The first case is of a 41-year-old housewife who suffered from tendinitis of the right elbow, which was treated with an ointment. Redness and itching appeared in the area of application. The second case is of a 39-year-old housewife who had an operation on the right knee for arthritis 10 months previously. A bone implant was grafted from the ankle and held in place by 2 stainless steel clips. Due to intolerance and rejection, the clips were removed after six months.

The article presents four case studies related to watch strap dermatitis. In all the cases studied, the patients developed acute linear eczema after wearing watches with rubber strap. These patients have no history of atopy. The lesions in all the four patients only affected that part of the wrist in contact with the strap. The contact area of the watch was not affected. Samples of each strap were sent for chromatography examination. The supplier of the straps in the first three patients informed that the strap was plasticized acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber.

A 38-year old male, electrical engineer, with an asthmatic son had a hobby of fishing. For one year, he has had bright red, itchy lesions of the fingertips of both hands, except the right index and ring fingers, with occasional blisters which desquamated and fissured. He knew the cause only wanted therapeutic advice. He suspected some of the 7 different maggots he used as bait. Standard patch tests were negative. Previous open tests with the 7 crushed maggots had not elicited any reaction.

This article presents case reports on the study of several children who had contact dermatitis. The study was conducted on 1023 children. Three patients were positive to fragrance mix, cinnamic alcohol and eugenol. Six patients were positive to PPDA, sulphanilamide and caine mix. Thirteen patients were positive to thiomersal and metallic mercury. Five patients were positive to thiomersal, mercury metallic, ammoniated mercury, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate and mercury bichloride. Sixty-two children with test reactions to nickel, cobalt or both had a previous history of metal intolerance. Thirty-one children with reactions to fragrance mix, cinnamic alcohol, eugenol, mercury compounds, balsam had a previous history related to the use of cosmetics.

An analysis has been made of patch test reactions in patients at two Departments of Dermatology in Spain, in relation to sensitization to cosmetics. During the period of the study fifty-eight thousand, one hundred and twenty-eight patients attended the two departments; of these five thousand, five hundred and thirty nine were patch tested and four hundred and sixty were considered to have positive tests related to cosmetic. However, only hundred and eighty seven patients were suspected of having a contact dermatitis from cosmetics. The sex distribution of the four hundred and sixty patients was three hundred and sixty women and hundred men.

The article presents a case showing contact dermatitis, which is caused due to nasal sprays and amyl nitrite. Imidazole chlorhydrate is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha-adrenergic activity used as a vasoconstrictor with rapid and prolonged action to relieve nasal congestion caused by rhinitis and sinusitis. There is no other reference to this substance as a contact sensitizer. Amyl nitrite is one group of volatile nitrites whose nature, uses and adverse reactions have been described by various scientists.

Dry feet syndrome or juvenile plantar dermatosis that is localized exclusively to the feet is discussed. Related to it, a study was conducted among 32 school children who were affected by an identical clinical picture in the feet. Patients were patch tested to the standard Spanish series and a speciaI shoe series. It is concluded that dry feet syndrome has a multifactorial aetology. Further, it is added that appearances are determined in the special anatomical and physiological characteristics of the site which is affected.

The article discusses about diaminodiphenylmethane which was used as standard patch tests by authors who are members of Spanish Contact Dermatitis Research Group G.E.I.D.C. Among 2,490 patients who were tested, 212 were found to be positive to diaminodiphenylmethane. The article discusses concomitant reactions of diaminodiphenylmethane and other para-group allergens. As per the statistical report that was published by the G.E.I.D.C., it is found to be the potent allergen. So, authors had planned to investigate sources of sensitization to this potent allergen.

The article focuses on medical references to the allergenic capacity of copper when it is present in the intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD). Four patients with identical clinical picture were diagnosed. These patients with the standard Spanish Contact Dermatitis Research Group were tested with patch test series and also with copper sulfate and barium sulfate. There have been references to metal device sensitization in dental prostheses, surgical prostheses, pacemakers and acupuncture needles. IUCD copper sensitization is another example of this special pattern of allergic contact dermatitis.

This article focuses on occupational purpuric textile dermatitis from formaldehyde resins. A man aged 55 years with no relevant family or previous history, had been working in a textile factory for 15 years, in charge of a special section for the recovery of wool residues obtained from other sections of the same factory. This wool is not pure but with synthetic fibers. The patient had contact with only these wools. After 4 months small petechial and purpuric lesions appeared on the face and the dorsum of the fingers of both hands.

A 31 year old woman had suffered from arthropathic psoriasis from the age of 23. Almost all traumatological treatments carried out failed. She also had a previous personal history of nickel intolerance. Less than a year ago, the patient began treatment with acupuncture. This treatment was successful in relieving the pain and she continued it for 1 hour every day. When these daily visits became impossible, the doctor decided to insert a permanent needle into the helix of the patient's right ear. Two months after beginning this new acupuncture treatment, itching began first on the face and neck regions and later extending to the trunk, extremities and scalp.

The article presents five cases of allergic sensitization to pyrrolnitrine, a new antifungal agent obtained from Pseudomonas pyrrocine. The International Contact Dermatitis Research Group series was negative in all the patients. It also includes the patients' history, clinical features, and results of patch testing.

The article focuses on the case of a women with a 5 years history of chronic conjunctivitis. After using a brand of epinephrine eyedrops, she developed edema of the eyelids followed by red, scaly, itchy lesions, more evident on the right side. Patch tests with the cosmetics used by the patient were found negative. A patch test with the eye drops was strongly positive, the results were obtained with separate components of the eyedrop. Epinephrine bitartrate which are derived from adrenaline and used in ophthalmology as a mydiratic agent was found to be the main allergen.

The article focuses on the case where a patient developed irritant dermatitis after coming in contact with a plastic mask for oxygen supply. Red, scaly, excudative and crusted lesions appeared on the lace at the sites of contact with the mask and on the neck, forearm and trunk where the tubing of the mask was in contact with the skin. The manufacturer supplied all the chemicals used in the mask and tubes. Tests with all of them and the plastic mask and tube were negative. This type of mask should he discarded after each use, but sometimes they were sterilized by ethylene oxide and used again. Masks with improper ventilation during this process may cause the reaction in the users.

The article presents five different cases of contact dermatitis from pyrrolnitrine. In one case a women applied Betamicutrin cream and Virexen solution to herpes zoster and developed an itching, erythematous, vesicular dermatitis within 5 days. In another case a boy was treated with a Micutrin cream for tinea versicolor, he also developed an itching, papular, erythematous eruption on the treated areas. The patch tests was negative in all the patients. The tests with pure Micutrin and Betamicuirine creams were strongly positive in all five cases. The analysis established that the responsible allergen was the pyrrolnitrine.

The article focuses on tow cases of allergic reactions to treatment with some of the drives forms of vitamin K. Vitamin K is available commercially in two forms, natural and synthetic. The cases of occupational sensitization to one synthetic derivative, the vitamin K3 sodium bisulfite is discusses here. A women was working in a pharmaceutical laboratory where she was in contact with many drugs of varied composition. She developed dyshidrosiform and vesicular exudative lesions on her index and middle finger of the right hand.

This article focuses on the sensitization to cinnamic aldehyde in toothpaste. For the last 2 year, almost 15 patients have been observed suffering from cheilitis, fissures of lips and stomatitis. Four of the patients wore dental prosthesis. Patch tests with the standard allergen series were recommend. For seven of the patients patch test was found to be negative. Two patients were found to be positive for cinnamic aldehyde and Ultrabrite toothpaste. In the course of years it was also found that eight patients with contact dermatitis of the of the face showed positive test reactions to various cosmetics.

The article focuses on low irritancy of 2-day occlusive patch test with calcipotriol cream. To assess the irritant capacity of calcipotriol, the researchers patch tested it in 100 volunteers among patients. Vitamin D and its analogues have successfully been used in the topical treatments of psoriasis. All references that can be found to vitamin D , that report its topical tolerance refer to psoriatic patients. In a group of 786 such patients who applied calcipotriol, the most frequent adverse reactions were skin irritation and facial/scalp irritation.

Although there are many publications on cutaneous manifestations in AIDS, including adverse drug reactions, and seborrhoeic dermatitis, tinea faciale and atopic dermatitis (22) are all well described in HIV-positive patients, little has been published on the relationship between AIDS and contact dermatitis. A 47-year-old HIV-positive homosexual male, presented 1 year ago with intense outbreaks of seborrhea dermatitis, which improved with topical corticosteroids and ketoconazole but recurred on increasing medication.

This article presents a medical case of a 65-year-old agricultural worker, who had to handle fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, diesel oil etc as part of his occupation. After using the herbicide Dipiril (20% aqueous solution of paraquat, he developed intense pruritus of sun-exposed areas of the face, neck, forearms and hands. Later on papules appeared in the same areas. These worsened greatly when in the sun. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines with little improvement. When patch tested, the patient showed a bullous reaction to paraquat at 4 days, which suggested that reaction was phototoxic rather than photoallergic.

This article presents information on a case study related contact dermatitis from eugenol in mouthwash. A 52-year-old woman with a long history intolerance to imitation jewellery, had experienced numerous dental problems, resulting in the replacement of almost all her natural teeth with prosthesis, originally fixed, but since replaced with removable ones of mixed composition. The patient reported that. since the dental problems first began, she had used various different mouthwashes. Approximately 6 weeks after beginning to use it, she noticed a burning sensation in the jugal mucosa and on the tongue which after 3 days became inflamed.

The article presents case of two young women who have been affected for several months by dried and fissured pulpitis and dermatitis of the dorsal, lateral and palmar aspects of the second and third phalnges of the index finger of the right hand. Patch test series showed negative results in both patients. Both women had the habit of using the index finger, without wearing gloves, to remove excess washing powder collected on the washing machine. The author recommended that a brush be used for this purpose. With the aid of an emollient ointment, both women were soon cured.