Effects of Merino Wool on Atopic Dermatitis Using Clinical, Quality of Life, and Physiological Outcome Measures.

BACKGROUND: Wool clothing may be perceived as a poor choice for use by individuals with sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect on atopic dermatitis of wearing fine Merino wool clothing versus standard clothing and to assess the effect of Merino wool clothing on quality of life in children and adults with atopic dermatitis 5 years and older. METHODS: Subjects with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were assessed in a crossover fashion after wearing Merino wool clothing for 6 weeks and standard clothing for 6 weeks, for Eczema Area and Severity Index, Dermatology Life Quality Index, static Investigator's Global Assessment, and skin hydration. RESULTS: While wearing Merino wool clothing, compared with standard clothing, statistically significant improvements were seen in mean Eczema Area and Severity Index scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index scores, and static Investigator's Global Assessment scores. No significant difference was seen with skin hydration. Wearing Merino wool clothing did not produce any negative cutaneous effects compared with wearing standard clothing. CONCLUSIONS: Merino wool clothing compared with standard clothing provided improvements in severity of atopic dermatitis as well as quality of life in atopic patients.

Disproportionated rosin dehydroabietic acid in neoprene surgical gloves.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a well-recognized immune-mediated disease often associated with the use of vulcanization accelerator-containing latex and nitrile gloves. Potential contact allergens in neoprene (polychloroisoprene, polychloroprene) gloves have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze extracts of neoprene surgical and examination gloves for potential contact allergens. METHODS: Four different brands of neoprene-type gloves were purchased, and dichloromethane extracts were derivatized and assayed by gas chromatographic mass spectrometry. A latex surgical glove was used as a negative control. RESULTS: Chemical species consistent with the composition of disproportionated rosin (dehydroabietic acid [DHA], didehydroabietic acid, and other pimaric or isopimaric species) were identified in dichloromethane extracts of neoprene gloves. Levels of DHA, a type IV prohapten that can be air oxidized to an active allergen, ranged from 7 to 31 mg/g of glove. A leaching study of DHA was conducted, and small amounts of DHA leached from the glove materials into artificial sweat. DHA oxidation products were not observed in any of the gloves assayed. CONCLUSION: DHA exposure may occur from neoprene-type glove use, although a potential association with glove ACD has not been established.

Allergen content of patient problem and nonproblem gloves: relationship to allergen-specific patch-test findings.

BACKGROUND: Identification of putative contact allergen and source material is often done by a combination of patch testing and manufacturer-supplied product information. The accuracy of the identification of allergen-source material and level of allergen in that allergen-source material is not known. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were to survey the chemical allergen content of glove allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) patient-identified problem and nonproblem gloves and to evaluate the ability of the patient to discriminate between problem and nonproblem gloves. METHODS: Gloves from patch-tested rubber allergen-positive ACD patients were analyzed for species and amount of rubber allergen. RESULTS: Approximately half the subjects were able to correctly identify their problem and nonproblem gloves. Correct association of a glove with ACD was directly related to patch-test reaction severity and inversely related to the number of glove brands being used by the patient. Of note, thiurams were not detected in any of the gloves examined. CONCLUSIONS: Although patch testing is invaluable in identifying individual allergen sensitivities, the identification of the ACD-causative specific chemical allergen and source material remains problematic. All glove brands used within days prior to and during an ACD episode should be considered potential sources of the contact allergen.