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The diagnosis of eczema ('dermatitis') is mostly clinical and depends on the clinical history and exploratory objective findings (primary lesions, patterns). Contact dermatitis remains as an important condition in the group of eczematous disorders, with important socioeconomic and occupational relevance. Although irritant and allergic contact dermatitis have a different pathogenesis, both are characterized by a rather typical morphology, are triggered by external factors and tend to occur primarily in the area of contact with the exogenous agent. In addition, allergic and irritant dermatitis may also co-exist. The importance of diagnosing contact dermatitis, especially when allergic in nature, is both due to the possibility of avoiding the trigger, and due to its role in aggravating other skin conditions. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of clinical presentations in daily practice may pose an important challenge for the suspicion and correct diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Furthermore, other conditions, with different pathogenesis and treatment, may clinically simulate contact dermatitis. The Task Force aims to conduct a review of the unifying clinical features of contact dermatitis and characterize its main clinical phenotypes, and its simulators, in order to contribute to an early suspicion or recognition of contact dermatitis and enable a correct differential diagnosis., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver pathology in the western countries. Psoriatic patients are at higher risk of having NAFLD, and at higher risk of experiencing a more severe form of the disease with poorer outcomes. The components of the metabolic syndrome - obesity, lipid abnormalities, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes - significantly correlate with NAFLD progression. The inflammatory state present in psoriasis plays a significant role in development of NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome. All patients with psoriasis and insulin resistance and risk factors for metabolic syndrome should also been screened for NAFLD, and planning of the treatment options should always take into consideration the possible risks related to the liver, especially in patients with NAFLD., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Introduction: The study presents the case report of a Wells Syndrome in a 18-year -ld female. Wells Syndrome is a rare inflammatory skin disorder which seems to present an abnormal eosinophilic response to a number of triggers., Objective: The aim of the study is to discuss several problems related to the diagnosis and treatment of Wells Syndrome., Material and Methods: Medical examination, blood tests, abdominal ultrasound and skin biopsy were performed., Results: Medical examination revealed plaques with tense blisters on feet and erythematous lesions on trunk. Blood tests showed raised anti-streptolysin O level. Skin biopsy revealed features of eosinophilic cellulitis. Oral administration of 0.5 mg per day prednisolone and antihistaminics with local therapy resulted in good clinical response., Conclusions: Sometimes several biopsy are required to establish diagnosis. In some cases lower doses of corticosteroids with antihistaminics and local anti-inflammatory treatment can by sufficient in treatment.

Background: Until recently, it was thought that in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), contact hypersensitivity phenomenon occurs less frequently than in the general population because of the impaired cellular immune response., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of contact dermatitis in the population of patients with AD., Methods: A total of 39 patients with clinical diagnosis of AD during remission were patch tested with 28 European Baseline Series allergens and 8 corticosteroids allergens in different concentrations and media. Twenty-nine (74.3%) patients were female and 10 (25.6%) patients were male. Thirty-three (84.6%) patients were older than 18 years. The mean duration of AD was 20 years., Results: Nineteen (48%) patients had an allergic reaction to at least 1 European Standard Series allergen, and 5 (12.8%) patients had an allergic reaction to at least 1 corticosteroid. The most common allergens giving positive results were nickel sulfate (28.2%), potassium dichromate (20.5%), cobalt chloride (12.8%), and phenylenediamine, budesonide, betamethasone, clobetasol, and dexamethasone (7.7% each)., Conclusions: This study shows that allergic contact hypersensitivity is common among patients with AD and affects up to 40% of cases. Contact allergy to corticosteroids becomes a serious problem in the treatment of chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as AD.

In recent years occupational skin and respiratory diseases have been more and more frequently diagnosed in small production and service enterprises. The awareness of occupational exposure and its possible health effects among their workers and employers is not sufficient. Beauty salons, in addition to hairdressers and beauticians, frequently employ manicurists and pedicurists. The workers often happen to perform various activities interchangeably. the health status of beauty salons workers has rarely been assessed. The most numerous reports concern hairdressers. In this occupational group, the occurrence of skin lesions induced by wet work and frequent allergy to metals, hair dyes and bleaches and perm solutions has been emphasized, while information about health hazards for being a manicurist or pedicurist in beauty salons is seldom reported. The aim of this paper is to present professional activities (manicure and pedicure, methods of nail stylization), occupational exposure and literature data on work-related adverse health effects in manicurists and pedicurists. Wet work and exposure to solvents, fragrances, resins, metals, gum, detergents may cause skin disorders (contact dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, photodermatoses), conjunctivitis, anaphylaxis, respiratory tract diseases, including asthma. The discussed occupations are also associated with the increased incidence of bacterial (particularly purulent), viral and fungal infections and cancer.

Background: Contact allergy among adolescents is an important issue., Objectives: To assess the prevalence of contact allergy to metals in adolescents aged 15 years and nickel release from metal accessories that are in direct contact with the skin., Methods: Three hundred and nine females and 219 males, all 15 years old, from randomly selected secondary schools were examined and patch tested with nickel sulfate, cobalt chloride, palladium chloride, and potassium dichromate. Three hundred and ninety-nine metal accessories were tested with the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test., Results: 'Metal dermatitis' was reported by 19.4% of females and 0.5% of males. Positive patch test reactions were found in 8.5% of the adolescents (12.9% in females; 2.3% in males), namely to: nickel (12.3% of females; 1.4% of males); palladium (5.2% of females; 0.5% of males); cobalt (3.2% of females; 1.4% of males); and chromium (1.3% of females; 0.9% of males). Allergic contact dermatitis caused by metals was diagnosed in 9.7% of females and in 0.5% of males. Of the metal items, 26.1% gave positive DMG test results: 10.0% of earrings, 11.4% of snaps, and 56.2% of belt buckles., Conclusions: Despite the implementation of the Nickel Directive in Poland, nickel still remains an important causal factor for allergic contact dermatitis. Numerous metal accessories do not comply with the Directive., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Systemic contact dermatitis can be elicited in nickel sensitive individuals by oral nickel exposure from food with high content of this metal, such as cocoa. We present a case report of a nonatopic teenager who developed allergic contact dermatitis due to nickel, cobalt, copper, and palladium, but exacerbations of skin lesions were mainly related to cocoa consumption., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: High prevalence of occupational dermatoses among hairdressers has been confirmed in many studies, while work-related skin disorders in apprentice hairdressers are less known., Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of work-related skin disorders among apprentice hairdressers, and to identify the factors contributing to the development of dermatoses during vocational training., Patients and Methods: One hundred thirty-nine apprentice hairdressers, aged 17-19 years, were included in the study. A questionnaire survey, personal interview, dermatological examination and patch tests were conducted., Results: Present or past work-related skin conditions affecting the hands were reported by 43.9% of individuals, and diagnosed in 25.9% on dermatological examination. Positive patch test results were found in 38.1%. The most frequent allergens were nickel (29.3% of all tested) and ammonium persulfate (8.3%). Allergic contact dermatitis was recorded in 27.3%, and was of occupational origin in 87.9% of all tested individuals. Irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 51.1% of participants (this prevalence was higher than that based only on an interview). Survey responses revealed inadequate knowledge of the risk of occupational skin diseases and protective measures., Conclusions: It is necessary to implement an educational programme for apprentice hairdressers, in order to increase their knowledge of the risk of skin damage and to promote appropriate use of protective measures, starting from the earliest stages of their training., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Disturbances in biophysical properties of the skin during irritant reactions induced by exposure to chemicals may be assessed by several non-invasive methods. The most popular one involves determinations of transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, skin pH and evaluation of erythema, pigmentation and skin blood flow. Non-invasive techniques are also applied to assess individual skin susceptibility to irritants. In dermatology and cosmetology they provide information about efficacy and safety of medicines, cosmetics and hygiene products. Determinations of skin parameters may also be useful in diagnosing and monitoring of various dermatoses and in the observation of changes in skin properties caused by the disease.

Wet work is one of the most important risk factors of occupational skin diseases. Exposure of hands to the wet environment for more than 2 hours daily, wearing moisture-proof protective gloves for a corresponding period of time or necessity to wash hands frequently lead to the disruption of epidermal stratum corneum, damage to skin barrier function and induction of irritant contact dermatitis. It may also promote penetration of allergens into the skin and increase the risk of sensitization to occupational allergens. Exposure to wet work plays a significant role in occupations, such as hairdressers and barbers, nurses and other health care workers, cleaning staff, food handlers and metalworkers. It is more common among women because many occupations involving wet work are female-dominated. The incidence of wet-work-induced occupational skin diseases can be reduced by taking appropriate preventive measures. These include identification of high-risk groups, education of workers, organization of work enabling to minimize the exposure to wet work, use of personal protective equipment and skin care after work.

The evaluation of skin irritation potential of chemicals is essential to secure the safety of individuals exposed to several substances designed for industrial, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use. Until recently, preclinical safety assessment of chemicals was largely based on animal experiments. Ethical concerns and the limited value of animal models in evaluating human skin irritation potential resulted in the development of alternative in vitro methods, such as EpiDerm, EPISKIN or SkinEthic, to assess irritation, i.e. cell cultures and human epidermis models. International organizations like the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) promotes and monitors the development of nonanimal tests. Human patch tests and use tests also provide an opportunity to identify substances with significant skin irritation potential without recourse to the use of animals. These tests are useful to assess skin irritation potential of cosmetics and detergents.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a crucial role in the regulatory mechanisms of immune system. They are responsible for the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance. They are also involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and allergic diseases and implicated in transplant rejection and immunopathology of cancers. Treg cells constitute the population of lymphocytes heterogeneous in their phenotype. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells are most important among Treg subsets. Modification of Treg actvity may be useful in the therapy of different diseases, including allergic disorders.

Background: Occupational contact dermatitis is a significant health problem in hairdressers. The number of occupational skin diseases in this group constantly increases. The most frequent factors contributing to the skin damage include water, shampoos, detergents, conditioners, hair dyes, bleaches, permanent wave solutions, and components of gloves., Material and Methods: A group of 121 hairdressers (106 women and 6 men) was selected from 4523 patients (2996 women and 1527 men) referred to the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, in 1995-2008, with suspected occupational skin disease. All hairdressers underwent dermatological examination and allergy tests (patch tests with allergens of the European Standard Series and Hairdressing Series, Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Sweden; skin prick tests, Allergopharma, Germany)., Results and Conclusions: Females were more prevalent than males and constituted 94.6% of the study group. Of all the study participants, 30% were trainee hairdressers. At least one positive patch test reaction was found in 69.7% of patients whereas in 30.3% patch tests were negative. The most frequent contact allergens were: nickel sulfate (40% of females), p-phenylenediamine (one fourth of the study group), ammonium persulfate (23.2%), cobalt chloride (21.4%), 2,5-diaminotoluene sulfate (9.8%), formaldehyde (9.8%), ammonium thioglycolate (7.1%), and glyceryl monothioglycolate (7.1%). Moreover, we found positive patch test reactions to thimerosal (14.3%), palladium chloride (11.6%), potassium dichromate (5.3%) and fragrance mix (4.5%). Altogether, occupational origin of skin disease was confirmed in 46.4% of hairdressers with allergic contact dermatitis, in 48.2% of those diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis and in 0.9% of hairdressers suffering from urticaria. 71% of trainee hairdressers were finally diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis, caused first of all by ammonium persulfate, p-phenylenediamine, nickel and thimerosal. In conclusion, it seems to be indispensable to implement health education program during vocational training of hairdressers and to promote specific preventive measures in this occupational group.

Background: Over recent years, increasing attention has been given to the impact of psychological factors on the onset and course of many illnesses., Materials and Methods: In total, 112 patients underwent psychological interview, including 37 with diagnosed urticaria, 50 with allergic contact dermatitis and 25 with atopic dermatitis. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to determine patients' mental condition and Profile of Mood States (POMS) to measure subjects' affective states. The level of self-acceptance was assessed with the Self-Assessment Scale (SAS). The dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was employed to measure the effects of skin disease on patients' physical and social functioning., Results and Conclusion: Patients with skin diseases have significantly lower level of: self-acceptance, self-knowledge and feeling of self-effectiveness than healthy controls. Skin disorders such as urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis reduced patients' quality of life, especially in professional activities. The most extensive disturbances in physical and psychosocial functioning were observed in subjects with allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Patients with skin diseases, especially those with allergic contact dermatitis and urticaria have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the general population.

Selected health hazards of outdoor work are reported. The hazards are attributable to physical agents (cold and hot microclimate, UV radiation), chemical agents (e.g., pesticides and herbicides, exhaust fumes), fine particulate dust, biological agents (insect bites, organic dusts, bacteria, poisonous vegetables), excessive physical (static and dynamic) loads. Exposures to those agents may cause circulatory diseases (arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease), symptoms of lower and upper spine or renal calculosis. Particular attention was paid to dermal diseases caused by exposure to solar radiation, such as sunburns, idiopathic dermatoses, chronic lesions, exacerbation of other skin diseases (lupus erythematosus, porphyria), phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Besides, solar radiation causes premature skin ageing and premalignant lesions (lentigo maligna, solar keatosis).

Irritant contact dermatitis is a frequent problem in dermatology. It compromises the majority of all occupational skin diseases in most countries. It develops as a result of the environmental or work-related exposure to irritants. Cutaneous reaction depends on the intrinsic properties of the irritant, individual skin susceptibility and environmental conditions. A great morphological variety of irritant contact dermatitis and difficulties in diagnosis may lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. The prognosis is variable. Preventive measures, including education, individual skin protection and proper skin care may contribute to the reduced incidence of occupational irritant contact dermatitis.

Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a strongly sensitizing aromatic amine, which is used in hair, furs and leather dying. It is also included in temporary henna tattoos. Using those tattoos and hair dying has recently become fashionable not only among grown-up women but also among grown-up men, teenagers and children. Temporary tattoo often causes primary allergy, and followed by hair dying can be the reason for severe skin and respiratory allergic symptoms, including anaphylactic symptoms. Furthermore PPD induces cross reactions with other oxidative dye components (ex. p-toluenediamine, p-aminodiphenylamine, 2,4-diaminoanisole, o-aminophenol, 1,4-benzenediamine, p-aminoaniline), black and white photographic developers, clothing dyes, technical rubber antioxidants (N-izopropylo-N-fenylo-p-fenylenodiaminq), epoxy resin hardeners, sulphonamides, and local anesthetic drugs (caines). The increased prevalence of allergy to paraphenylenediamine results from the fashion for temporary tattoos and hair dying.

Background: Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a major component of hair dye, usually induces non-occupational allergy in women. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of occupational and environmental sensitization to PPD over the last 10 years and to analyze the causes of this hypersensitivity., Material and Methods: Based on the medical records of 3224 patients (2153 women and 1071 men) examined in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in the years 1997-2006, the prevalence of PPD allergy was investigated. Moreover, the rate of PPD cross-reactions with N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-paraphenylenediamine (IPPD) was also analyzed., Results: Positive response to PPD was found in 154 (4.8%) patients. The prevalence of this condition was twice as high in men (7.5%) than in women (3.4%). Among female professions inducing the detected allergy to PPD, hairdressers and nurses prevailed, while among men's jobs, locksmithing and related occupations as well as farming and bricklaying predominated. Of the 154 patients sensitized to PPD, only 27 (17.5%) also reacted to IPPD. In the group of patients (36 subjects) with IPPD allergy as many as 27 (75%) presented positive reactions. Occupational sensitization was found among hairdressers, beauty stylists, tanners, shoemakers, furrier, carpenters, and photographers. Among some of the locksmiths, welders, electricians, bricklayers, drivers, and farmers who reacted to both PPD and IPPD, black rubber was found to be the source of sensitization so that the reaction to IPPD was secondary. It is likely that the remaining patients performing these jobs cross-reacted to aromatic amines enclosed in crude oil derivatives and clothing dyes., Conclusions: Allergy to PPD indicates a need to investigate other aromatic amines, which may appear to be the primary cause of occupational sensitization.

Background: The aim of this study was to assay the type of allergy to preservatives contained in cosmetics and to assess the usefulness of the composition of allergens included in a standard series for the diagnosis of occupational contact allergy used to date., Materials and Methods: The frequency of contact allergy to the standard series of preservatives (thimerosal, Euxyl K 400, formaldehyde, Kathon CG, Quaternium 15, parabens) was assayed in a group of 1937 subsequent patients referred to the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in L6di and examined in the years 2000-2005. The frequency and type of allergy to preservatives of a cosmetic series in a group of 113 patients with poor tolerance of cosmetics were also investigated., Results: Allergy to thimerosal was found in 11.8% of patients tested with a standard series; to formaldehyde in 4.9%; and to Euxyl K 400 in 3.7%. Quaternium and parabens were less allergenic (0.8 and 0.3%, respectively). In the group of 113 patients subjected to patch test with a cosmetic series, allergy, i.e. at least one positive patch test, was observed in 49 (43.4%) patients. Of the 27 preservatives contained in cosmetics, 16 induced positive reaction to chemical compounds. Euxyl K 400 proved to be the basic allergenic preservative of this series, and induced allergy in 21 (18.6%) patients, whereas 17.7% of patients reacted to thimerosal. Only allergy to thimerosal applied to 8 persons, and 7 of them showed inflammatory lesions only on the face. Less allergic biocides were cocamidopropyl betaine (7.1%), Kathon CG (7.1%), Bronopol (5.3%), Germall II (4.4%), triethanolamine (3.5%), Germall 115 (2.6%), DMDM hydantoin (2.6%), Grotan BK (1.8%), sodium-2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide (1.8%), clioquinol (0.9%), Quaternium 15 (0.9%), and dimethylaminopropylamine (0.9%)., Conclusions: The results of our study confirmed observations of other authors that allergy to preservatives present in numerous industrial products, especially Euxyl K 400, is still a growing problem. Like many other researchers, we are of the opinion that this allergen should be included in a standard series for the diagnosis of all patients with suspected allergic dermatitis, including that of occupational origin.

Background: A constantly growing social demand for orthopedic implants has been observed in Poland. It is estimated that about 5% of patients experience post-operation complications. It is suspected that in this group of patients an allergic reaction contributes to rejection of metal implants., Materials and Methods: The aim of our study was to assess contact allergy to metals in 14 people (9 women and 5 men) suffering from poor implant tolerance. In some of them, recurrent skin eruptions, generalized or nearby implants, have occurred and in 3 patients skin fistula was observed. These complaints appeared one year after operation. The patients underwent patch tests with allergens from the Chemotechnique Diagnostics (Malmö, Sweden), including nickel, chromium, cobalt, palladium, copper, aluminum. In addition, allergens, such as titanium, vanadium and molybdenum prepared by chemical laboratory in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódiź, Poland, were introduced., Results and Conclusions: Of the 14 patients, 8 persons (5 women and 3 men) were sensitized to at least one metal, mostly to nickel (7/14) and chromium (6/14). Of the 8 sensitized patients, 3 were reoperated. Owing to the exchange of prosthesis the complaints subsided, including healing up skin fibulas. These facts weight in favor of the primeval sensitizing effect of metal prosthesis and the relation between allergy and clinical symptoms of poor tolerance to orthopedic implants.

A case of disseminated allergic contact dermatitis in a screen process printer is presented. The skin lesions were caused by multifunctional acrylates (methylpropane triacrylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate--highly positive patch tests (+ + +) after 48 and 96 h) present in ultraviolet cured transparent lacquer used in coat printed posters to make them weather-resistant. Patch tests with lacquer were also highly positive (+ + +) after 48 and 96 h. According to the safety sheet of the product, lacquer contained 85-90% of multifunctional acrylates. The patient showed disseminated dermatitis, however, no hypertrophied lesions on the hand skin, a characteristic symptom in persons exposed to acrylates, were observed.

Background: The incidence of allergy induced by fragrances, leading mostly to the development of contact dermatitis and urticaria chronica, has been growing in a large number of countries. In general, allergy is of non-occupational nature, however, it can also have traits of occupational exposure. The fragrance mix is used in screening for allergy to aromas, but it frequently produces false positive or false negative results of the test. The aim of the study was to assess whether the fragrance mix is suitable for detecting allergy to aromas in persons with suspected occupational allergy and also to analyze types of allergy to separate fragrances., Material and Methods: In a group of 1937 patients diagnosed in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź, the incidence of allergy to fragrance mix was assessed. They underwent dermatological examinations and tests with use of the European standard kit (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Malmö, Sweden) in the years 2000-2005. In addition, in the group of patients with positive tests, the type of allergy to individual aromas was analyzed using fragrance series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Malmö, Sweden)., Results: The positive reaction to fragrance mix was found in 99 (5.1%) patients (women--5.2% and men--4.9%). In 57.6% of patients, allergy to balsam of Peru was also observed. Allergy to at least one aroma was diagnosed in 82 (72%) persons tested with an expanded fragrance series. In the remaining 23 (28%) patients, patch tests proved to be false positive. In the latter group, 17 patients showed negative results of the test to balsam of Peru. In the study group, 65% of patients reacted to 1, 2 or 3 and 36% to more aromas. The following allergens sensitized most frequently: cynnamic alcohol, hydroxycitronellal, cinnamic aldehyde, isoeugenol, eugenol, Ylang-Ylang oil, oakmoss absolute, and jasmine. Allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 69.7%, urticaria chronica in 5.1% of patients, atopic dermatitis in 4%, whereas in 21.2% no skin lesions were observed., Conclusions: The results of the study confirmed observations of other authors that the usefulness of fragrance mix in the diagnosis of allergy to aromas is limited (a high number of false positive results of skin tests). We noticed that a combined reaction to fragrance mix and balsam of Peru is helpful in diagnosis in persons whom a complete allergic diagnosis cannot be performed. We also found less frequent hypersensitivity to oakmoss absolute and more frequent to cinnamic aldehyde and alcohol, hydroxycitronellal, eugenol, isoeugenol in Lódź than in studies reported by other authors.

In this paper, the relation between psychological factors and psychiatric disorders in patients with skin diseases is discussed. On the one hand psychological factors (stress, negative emotions) can influence the generation and aggravation of skin disorders (urticaria, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo), on the other hand psychological disorders can result in some skin diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis). In the majority of cases the quality of life is poorly estimated by patients with skin problems. Psychodermatology is divided into three categories according to the relationship between skin diseases and mental disorders: 1) psychophysiologic disorders caused by skin diseases triggering different emotional states (stress), but not directly combined with mental disorders (psoriasis, eczema); 2) primary psychiatric disorders responsible for self-induced skin disorders (trichotillomania); and 3) secondary psychiatric disorders caused by disfiguring skin (ichthyosis, acne conglobata, vitiligo), which can lead to states of fear, depression or suicidal thoughts.

A case of the hands and face dermatitis in a patient employed in a store with motor-car spare parts is presented. Both the patient and her doctor were convinced that skin lesions were caused by the contact with metals, oils and greases. After detecting allergy to primine (after 48 and 96 h, + +), the patient recalled that two months earlier she had started to grow primrose (Primula obconica) at home. Patch tests with the primrose leaf and flower were also positive (+ +). The presented case provides evidence that routine primine testing is essential in all patients with suspected contact allergy dermatitis. In Poland like in the majority of countries, primina is not included in the standard kit.

Dermatological examinations were performed in 81 workers involved in the manufacture of electric coils for television displays, who had worked for 4 years in contact with a glue containing isobornyl acrylate, acrylic acid, N,N dimethyleneacrylamide, phosphine oxide, bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl) (2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)- and beta-carboxyethyl acrylate. The glue was cured by 350-500-nm ultraviolet and visible radiations. Acrylate-specific dermal lesions were detected in 21 (25.9%) people. Occupational irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 12 (15%) of the workers and occupational allergic contact dermatitis in 9 (11.2%). 12 people reacted to acrylates. Cross-reactions with methacrylates were not observed. The highest number of positive tests was obtained with triethyleneglycol diacrylate (10 people) and diethyleneglycol diacrylate (9), followed by 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (5), 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (4), beta-carboxyethyl acrylate (3), tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (2) and pentaerythritol triacrylate (2). No cases of allergy to isobornyl acrylate, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide or phosphine oxide were noted.

The authors review the literature on the contact allergy to acrylate plastics used in many branches of industry, construction, dental prosthetics, conservative dentistry, orthopedics and also in the production of glue, binding materials, and lacquers, especially printer's ink. The most frequent sources of non-occupational allergy are presented. In addition, the authors draw attention to new allergy-producing chemical compounds, difficulties in the interpretation of skin test results, mostly because of polyvalence of allergy to acrylates, and to characteristic clinical picture of skin changes.

Disinfectants are essential components of body care preparations, household goods and industrial products. They inhibit growth of bacteria and fungi. Esters of parahydroxybenzoate acid and products that release small amounts of formaldehyde (Germal 115, Germal II, Dovicil 200, Bronopol, DMDM hydantoine) were most frequently used in the past. In the 1980s, Katon CG (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one + 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) evoked the epidemics of contact dermatitis in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands. In the next years, allergy to another preservative, Euxyl K 400 was dramatically growing. Studies carried out in 11 European countries showed that hypersensitivity increased from 0.7% in 1991 to 3.5% in 2000. It was revealed that not only cosmetics left on the skin sensitize, but also those washable. Apart from preservatives, allergic reactions are induced by emulgators, antioxidants, moisteners, lubricants, stabilizers and stickers.

The authors report current information on allergy to aromatic agents present in cosmetics and products of household chemistry. In the perfume industry, about 3000 aromas are used. Single products may contain from 10 to 300 compounds. The problem of difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to odors is addressed. The mixture of 8 such products used in diagnostic screening is able to detect allergy only in about 30% of patients who do not tolerate cosmetics. Changing frequency of allergy to individual aromas is discussed. It has been now observed that cinnamon products are less allergic than chemical compounds present in oak moss. Since the 1990s of the last century, allergy to a synthetic aromatic agent, Lyral is the subject of interest in many research centers involved in studies of contact allergy. Half the cosmetics present in European markets, especially deodorants, after shave cosmetics, hand and body lotions contain this agent. It induces positive reactions in about 10% of patients allergic to aromatic agents. Detection of allergy to Lyral is difficult as it is not included in the set of commercial allergens used to diagnose hypersensitivity to aromatic agents.

Background: Contact allergy to latex is a relatively new problem that gives rise to much controversy among researchers. The aim of the study was to develop a study model of contact allergy induced by latex proteins., Materials and Methods: The study covered 60 health care workers who had reported decreased tolerance of rubber gloves. They were subjected to routine dermatological examinations, patch tests to a standard set of allergens (Chemotechnique Diagnosis, Sweden), expanded to include high ammoniac latex, and prick tests with latex and common inhalatory allergens. In addition, total and latex specific IgE antibodies were determined., Results: Of the total group, contact allergy to latex was found in 5 persons, including 3 persons with concurrent immediate reaction to latex, and 2 persons with allergy of the isolated nature. Only in 1 person coexistent late allergy to latex and rubber accelerator of the thiurams group were observed., Conclusions: Path tests with 30% ammoniac latex seem to be a useful diagnostic method in the detection of contact allergy to latex. In case of doubtful reactions, the use of lower allergen concentrations is recommended.