Analysis of the Results from the Patch Test to Para-Phenylenediamine in the TRUE Test in Patients with a Hair Dye Contact Allergy

BACKGROUND: Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is the primary patch test screening agent for hair dye contact allergy (HDCA). However, no recent studies have been published that describe the results of reactions to patch tests using PPD and hair dyes in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of the patch tests to PPD using the thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous (TRUE) Test system in patients with HDCA and to investigate patients' awareness that hair dyes contains allergens, which cause the development of HDCA. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with suspected HDCA (32 men and 52 women) underwent patch testing using the TRUE Test system and their own hair dyes. The patients' demographic data, behavior associated with hair dyeing, and clinical manifestations of HDCA were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Positive patch-test reactions to hair dyes occurred in 53.6% of patients who used hair dyes, and they were diagnosed with HDCA. Although there was a significant correlation between HDCA and PPD sensitization (p=0.001), only 40% of the patients with HDCA showed positive reactions to PPD. Of the 45 patients diagnosed with HDCA, only 7 (15.6%) were aware that their hair dyes contained allergens that caused HDCA. CONCLUSION: This study's findings show that PPD is an effective HDCA marker. However, we propose that investigations on hair dye components other than PPD should be conducted to develop and validate additional predictive HDCA markers.

Patch Testing With Preservative Sensitizers. A Year Retrospective Study From Selayang Hospital

Abstract Introduction: Other than nickel, fragrance and rubber, preservatives are well known sensitizers. Objectives: To study the pattern of preservative allergy among patients patch tested at Patch Test Unit Selayang Hospital. Materials & Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data of all the patients patch tested with preservative sensitizers present in the European Baseline Series and other commercial series in Selayang Hospital from January 2011 to December 2011. Results: 243 patients were patch tested. 28.4% of the patients had a positive reaction to one or more of the preservative sensitizers. Paraben mix was the most frequently positive allergen (11.8%). 17.8% of the Indians had paraben allergy, as compared to 11.3% of Malays and 11.2% of Chinese. Females were more significantly associated with a positive reaction to one or more of the preservative sensitizers (p=0.010). A younger age group (<35) was more significantly associated with formaldehyde allergy. “Face and upper limbs combined” presentation was significantly associated with a positive reaction to formaldehyde and methylchloroisothiazolinone/ methylisothiazolinone (p=0.042 and p<0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Our data differ from most other countries in that paraben mix was the most frequently positive preservative sensitizer and that younger age group was significantly associated with sensitization to formaldehyde.

Contact allergy to topical corticosteroids and sunscreens.

Topical corticosteroids and sunscreens are extensively used formulations, both as over-the-counter products and as prescription medicines. Topical corticosteroids are increasingly being recognized as causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Because of their anti-inflammatory property, contact allergy to these agents may be difficult to suspect and prove. With corticosteroid allergy, there are special issues in patch testing that need to be considered: Screening tests need to be done with budesonide and tixocortol pivalate, and delayed readings are essential to pick up all positive cases. Preventive advice needs to be tailored according to the structural and chemical peculiarities of a particular molecule. Sunscreen allergy is a significant part of cosmetic allergy; especially in cases of photoallergic reactions. Each passing decade is bringing forth new allergens in this class. In many countries, benzophenones have recently been replaced by octocrylene as the leading causes of contact dermatitis to sunscreens. This article provides a broad overview of corticosteroid and sunscreen allergy so that the readers are aware of these important emerging classes of allergens.

Contact Allergy to Euxyl K400 in Cosmetic Cream / 대한피부과학회지

Methyldibromoglutaronitrile(MDGN) is a component of Euxyl K400, a preservative used in many skin care products in Europe. MDGN has been used in cosmetics in the United States and Korea. A sudden increased incidence of contact allergy from MDGN has been reported in the United states. However, there has been no report in Korea. We report a case with persistent contact dermatitis from a cream containing Euxyl K400. Patch testing of cosmetics and of one of its ingredients, Euxyl K 400, revealed strong positive reactions. Upon testing 2-phenoxyethanol(one component of Euxyl K 400) and Euxyl K400 itself, Euxyl K400, not 2-phenoxyethanol showed a positive reaction. MDGN in Euxyl K400 is an important new sensitizer in cosmetics, with the increase of its use, it should be included in patch test battery of patients with allergic contact dermatitis.

Effect of Vehicle on Elicitation of DNCB Contact Allergy in Guinea Pig / 대한피부과학회지

This study was undertaken to investigate the optimal conditions for challenge testing with DNCB in 3 vehicles applied to guinea pigs in standardized amount/ area (pg/cm2) The results are sumrnarized as follows: 1) All test reactions were negative when tested in 10 unsensitized animals. 2) There were significant difference in positive rate between 0. 05%, DNCB in alcohol and 0.1% DNCB in alcohol, but there were no significant difference between 0. l%, DNCB in alcohol and 0, 2% DNCB in alcohol. Same results were obtaincd when DNCR was dissolved in acetone. 3) Acetone gives the significantly higher degree of positive reactions, indicating that alcohol may be the safer vehicle in eliciting a response than acetone. 4) With DNCB in olive oil, relatively few animals reacted compared to the results obtained with alcohol and acetone. Furthermore, olive oil is slippery and difficult to utilize when attempting to delineate surface area. 5) With alcohol, we obtained a good correlation between the amount applied and the resulting response, showing that this vehicle might be a superior vehicle in eliciting contact allergy.