ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chromium is one of the most common metal allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis. European regulation of chromium (VI) content in cement was first implemented in 2005, and regulation of chromium in leather in 2015. OBJECTIVE: This clinical study was performed to obtain basic data on subjects with allergic contact dermatitis due to chromium in Korea. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with chromium allergy among subjects with contact dermatitis who underwent patch tests. METHODS: Patch test data from June 1998 to January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed (n=975; men=290, women=685). Patients who showed positive reactions to potassium dichromate (chromium [+] group; n=58) and who showed positive reactions to other allergens except potassium dichromate (others [+] group; n=497) were identified and the characteristics of both groups were compared. Patients who only reacted to chromium (only chromium group; n=17) were identified, and their clinical characteristics were investigated. The prevalence of chromium allergy was analyzed in each 4-year period to study the changes over time. RESULTS: The sensitization rate of potassium dichromate was 5.9% (n=58) and women comprised 72.4% (n=42) of the chromium (+) group. Hands and feet were more frequently affected in the chromium (+) group (p=0.002 and 0.019, respectively). Occupational dermatitis was significantly less common in the chromium (+) group. Chromium allergy was the most prevalent in patients in their 50s (8.4%). The only chromium group had significantly more number of patients aged 40 years or older (p=0.004). The prevalence of chromium allergy was 13.5% during 1998~2002, but decreased to 5.4% during 2010~2014. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of patients with chromium allergy suggests that chromium exposure in daily activities, including leather exposure, is more relevant than occupational exposure for most patients. The prevalence of chromium allergy has been decreasing in Korea, which may be an effect of voluntary regulation of chromium content in cement by manufacturers.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Allergens , Chromium , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact , Dermatitis, Contact , Dermatitis, Occupational , Foot , Hand , Hypersensitivity , Korea , Occupational Exposure , Patch Tests , Potassium Dichromate , Prevalence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Eruptive collagenoma is a rare acquired type of connective tissue nevus that predominantly consists of collagen. It usually presents as multiple, asymptomatic, firm, flesh-colored or pink nodules or plaques that are symmetrically distributed over the trunk and upper extremities. Four cases of eruptive collagenoma in linear or zosteriform arrangements have been reported in the English literature. A 16-year-old boy presented with multiple asymptomatic erythematous papules and nodules on the left side of his sternal margin and the posterior side of his left neck. A punch biopsy taken from one of the nodules on the chest showed thickened collagen fibers in the dermis. Masson-Trichrome staining revealed an increase in the collagen fibers, which were broad and arranged haphazardly, and the elastic staining indicated a reduction in the elastic fibers in the dermis, which are findings that are consistent with collagenoma. We report a case of eruptive collagenoma that presented in a linear arrangement, which is a rare distribution pattern for connective tissue nevi.