ABSTRACT
Introduction: Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees. Its use is widespread in cosmetics and natural medi-cine because of variable beneficial effects. Local application and consumption may cause hypersensitivity.Objective: Aim of this study was to analyze the 30-year data of patients with propolis hypersensitivity.Method: 17 784 patients were patch tested between 1992 and 2021 in the Allergology Outpatient Unit of the De-partment of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology of the Semmelweis University. 464 patients (2.6%) had propolis sensibility. We present the annual changes in the frequency of propolis sensibility, the typical diagnoses, age groups, localizations most affected by clinical symptoms and the co-hypersensitivities according to propolis sen-sibility.Results: In the 30-year period, the sensitization frequency of propolis was on average 2.6%; in 2019-2021, we de-tected a sudden increase (6.2%, 8.4%, 6.9%). Female predominance was typical (70.7%). Most patients belonged to the age group 51-60 years (24.6%), the mean age was 52.5 years. Most skin symptoms appeared on hands (34.2%), legs (18.4%), and face (17.5%). Regarding co-hypersensitivities, fragrance mix I (27.7%), balsam of Peru (26.8%) and wood tar (23.0%) can be mentioned.Conclusion: The general need for biocosmetics, complementary and alternative medicine raises the exposure of propolis. The risk of contact hypersensitivity is increased because propolis products are used mostly on inflamed skin with higher allergen penetration. According to our results, propolis - beside its advantageous properties - is an important environ-mental allergen, especially among elderly women. Propolis sensibility, the possible cross-and co-hypersensitivities can cause contact dermatitis or may worsen different skin diseases. Propolis sensibility can be verified by patch testing.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact , Dermatitis, Contact , Hypersensitivity , Propolis , Allergens , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/etiology , Dermatitis, Contact/complications , Female , Humans , Male , Patch Tests/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The proportion of elderly in the general population is increasing. Ageing of the skin and immune system can modify the features of contact hypersensitivity (CH). The number of epidemiological studies according to the age-related features of CH is very limited. We aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics of CH in an elderly patient population. A total of 600 patients (patient age > 60 years old) were patch tested with the European Environmental Baseline Series (EEBS) and 440 of them with the Complementary Fragrance Series (CFS) at the same time according to the actual international methodological standards in the Allergy Outpatient Unit of Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermato-Oncology of Semmelweis University between 2015−2019. Out of 600 tested patients, 54.8% had at least one allergen positivity. Female predominance was observed (78.7%). The most common diagnosis was contact dermatitis (63.7%), followed by psoriasis (6.2%). Most of the cases (58.0%) were found in the age group of 60−69. The five most common contact allergens were benzoic acid, methylisothiazolinone (MI), wood tar, nickel, and balsam of Peru. Allergic skin symptoms are present in all ages and also in the elderly. According to our data, the most common contact allergens are preservatives, followed by balsam of Peru among men and nickel among women. In case of contact dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis are worth patch testing to verify CH even in those above 60 years old.
ABSTRACT
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by an impaired skin barrier. The prolonged use of topical preparations containing medications, emollients, fragrances and preservatives may increase the risk of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). In the Allergy Outpatient Unit of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University, 5790 adult patients were patch tested between 2007-2021 with the European Environmental Baseline Series according to international standards. Among all the tested adult patients, 723 had preservative CHS (PCHS) and 639 had AD. Among the 723 PCHS patients, 68 (9.4%) had AD; the female to male ratio was 3:1 in this group. Out of 639 AD patients, 68 had PCHS (10.6%). In the AD-PCHS group, 83.8% had CHS to methylisothiazolinone (MI) (tested from 2014), 36.8% to Kathon CG®, 16.2% to methyldibromo-glutaronitrile, 11.8% to paraben, 7.4% to formaldehyde, 4.4% to para-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin and 1.5% to Quaternium-15. The most common concomitant PCHS combination was Kathon CG® + MI. Most patients (32.4%) belonged to the age group of 21-30, and skin symptoms affected mostly the limbs and face. The most common other concomitant allergens were nickel, lanolin alcohol and balsam of Peru. Preservatives (especially MI and Kathon CG®) are important contact allergens in adult AD, mostly among young women. The rate of AD in the PCHS group and the rate of PCHS in the AD group is remarkable; thus, the role of PCHS should be highlighted in the topical therapy and in the prevention of possible AD exacerbations.
ABSTRACT
Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A nikkel szélesköruen elterjedt fém és kontaktallergén. Megtalálható mindennapi használati tárgyainkban, feldolgozza az ipari termelés, és az egészségügyben is rendre bovül alkalmazási köre. Egyidejuleg a társadalom növekvo hányadánál fordul elo nikkel-kontaktszenzibilizáció. Célkituzés: Az epicutan tesztelt betegcsoport adatainak feldolgozása, kiemelve a nikkelpozitív betegek megoszlását nem, életkor, diagnózis, a klinikai tünetek lokalizációja és a társult fémérzékenység szerint, továbbá a 2004 óta érvényes európai uniós Nikkel Direktívák hatásainak tanulmányozása. Módszer: A közlemény a Semmelweis Egyetem Bor-, Nemikórtani és Boronkológiai Klinikájának Allergológia Laboratórium és Szakambulanciáján 1994-tol 2014-ig 13 693 fo (10-87 év közötti) standard környezeti epicutan sorral tesztelt beteg adatait vizsgálja retrospektív módon. Eredmények: Az összes vizsgált borbeteg nikkelszenzibilizációs aránya 1994-ben 13,1%, 2004-ben 11,5%, 2014-ben 19,1% volt. A nikkel-kontaktdermatitis foként nobetegeknél (93,0%) fordul elo. A klinikai tünetek elsosorban a karokra és az arcra lokalizálódnak. Nikkelérzékenyeknél az allergiás kontaktdermatitis diagnózisa 65,8%, atopiás dermatitis 9,7%-nál fordul elo. A nikkelérzékenységhez leggyakrabban társult fémallergének a kobalt és a króm. Az 1994-2004-es periódushoz képest az európai uniós Nikkel Direktívákat követo 10 évben a szenzibilizáció százalékos emelkedése szignifikáns volt, ugyanakkor a nikkelpozitívak évenkénti száma csökkent. 1994-ben a betegek legnagyobb hányada (26,5%) a 20-24 éves korcsoportba tartozott, 2004-ben szintén (20,8%), 2014-ben azonban a 35-39 éves korosztályhoz (15,1%). Következtetések: A nikkelszenzibilizáció korban eltolódást mutat az idosebb korosztály felé, a 35 évesnél fiatalabb betegek száma mérséklodött. A Nikkel Direktívák révén a fiatalabbak késobbi életkorban és kisebb mértéku nikkelexpozíciónak vannak kitéve. A vizsgált betegek nikkelérzékenységének százalékos emelkedése miatt azonban újabb szabályozások bevezetése és a hatályban lévok módosítása szükségszeru. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 629-637. INTRODUCTION: Nickel is a widely used metal and contact allergen. It can be found in our everyday objects and it is becoming more prevalent in healthcare. Simultaneously, nickel contact sensitization occurs more frequently. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of data of patch tested patients by gender, age, diagnosis, localization of skin lesions, and associated metal sensitivity. Furthermore, to study the effects of the European Nickel Directives in force since 2004. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of data of 13 693 patients (aged 10-87) tested with a standard series of contact allergens at the Allergy Outpatient Unit and Laboratory of the Department, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University. RESULT: Nickel sensitization of all examined patients was 13.1% in 1994, 11.5% in 2004, and 19.1% in 2014. Contact dermatitis occurred mainly in females (93.0%). Skin lesions are primarily localized to the arms and face. Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis occurred in 65.8%, and atopic dermatitis in 9.7% of tested patients. Commonly associated metal sensitivities were cobalt and chromium. In the 10 years following the Nickel Directives, the increase of the ratio of sensitized patients was significant while the number of nickel-positives per year decreased. Both in 1994 and 2004, the largest proportion of patients belonged to the 20-24 age group (26.5% and 20.8%, respectively), but in 2014, to the 35-39 age group (15.1%). CONCLUSION: Nickel sensitization shifts towards the older age group, with a decrease in young patients. Because of the Nickel Directives, people are exposed to nickel at a later age and to a lesser extent. Due to the increase of the ratio of nickel-sensitive patients, it is necessary to introduce new regulations and amend the existing ones. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 629-637.
