ABSTRACT
The prevalence of contact allergy in 2471 patients patch tested in Singapore was 49.2% (571/1160) in women and 49.8% (653/1311) in men (sex difference not significant). The rate appeared to increase with age (43.7% in those less than 20 years, 50.6% between 20 and 49 years, and 63.1% in those greater than 49 years). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of contact allergy among the major races (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) of Singapore. Contact allergies in 16.8% (96/571) of women and 38.9% (254/653) of men (p less than 0.001) were occupational. Nickel, fragrance mix, proflavine, and chromate were common sensitizers. The male:female prevalence of nickel allergy was 1:2 (sex difference p less than 0.001) and for chromate was 7:1 (sex difference p less than 0.001). Chromate sensitivity was occupational in 87.7% (121/138) of men and 47.1% (8/17) of women (sex difference p less than 0.001). Proflavine, neomycin, and clioquinol were the more common medicament sensitizers.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Contact/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Chromates/immunology , Cosmetics/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/etiology , Dermatitis, Occupational/chemically induced , Dermatitis, Occupational/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nickel/immunology , Patch Tests , Pharmaceutical Preparations/immunology , Sex Factors , SingaporeABSTRACT
4 cases of contact allergy to diazolidinyl urea (Germall II) in a "hypoallergenic" brand of cosmetics are described. 2 patients sensitized by these cosmetics were not allergic to formaldehyde. 2 other patients already sensitive to formaldehyde had exacerbations of dermatitis due to diazolidinyl urea. The following tentative conclusions were drawn. (i) Contact allergy to diazolidinyl urea may or may not be due to formaldehyde sensitivity. (ii) Patients allergic to formaldehyde may suffer contact allergic reactions from the use of cosmetics containing diazolidinyl urea. (iii) Patients sensitized to diazolidinyl urea may cross-react to imidazolidinyl urea and vice-versa. (iv) It is suggested that the sensitizing potential of diazolidinyl urea is greater than that of imidazolidinyl urea. (v) Aq. solutions may be preferable to pet. for patch testing with diazolidinyl urea.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/etiology , Urea/analogs & derivatives , Adult , Cross Reactions , Dermatitis, Contact/diagnosis , Female , Formaldehyde/immunology , Humans , Middle Aged , Netherlands , Patch Tests , Preservatives, Pharmaceutical/adverse effects , Urea/immunologyABSTRACT
5 coumarins used in perfumery, cosmetics, therapeutic ointments or occurring naturally were investigated by Freund's complete adjuvant technique (FCAT) in guinea pigs to determine their contact sensitizing potency. 4-Methylesculetin was also studied. Esculetin, dihydrocoumarin and daphnetin were found to be moderate to strong sensitizers, while fraxetin was nearly and 7-methylcoumarin completely inactive. The results corroborate the hypothetical view that only those coumarins having a catecholic disubstitution in the benzene ring, e.g., esculetin, 4-methylesculetin, daphnetin, can become sensitizers on the basis that they are capable of forming ortho-quinones under oxidizing conditions.
Subject(s)
Coumarins/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/etiology , Animals , Cosmetics/immunology , Cross Reactions , Dermatitis, Contact/immunology , Female , Freund's Adjuvant/immunology , Guinea Pigs , Immunization/methods , Skin Tests , Structure-Activity Relationship , Umbelliferones/immunologySubject(s)
Allergens/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/immunology , Skin Tests/methods , Acrolein/analogs & derivatives , Acrolein/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic/immunology , Allergens/administration & dosage , Animals , Cosmetics/immunology , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Eugenol/analogs & derivatives , Eugenol/immunology , Female , Guinea Pigs , Male , Pharmaceutic Aids/immunologySubject(s)
Cosmetics/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/immunology , Skin Tests/methods , Adjuvants, Immunologic/immunology , Allergens/administration & dosage , Allergens/immunology , Animals , Benzocaine/immunology , Cosmetics/administration & dosage , Coumarins/immunology , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Female , Formaldehyde/immunology , Guinea Pigs , Male , Penicillin G/immunology , Phenylenediamines/immunology , Propylene Glycol , Propylene Glycols/immunologyABSTRACT
In Riehl's melanosis, first observed in 1917, facial hyperpigmentation, most pronounced on the forehead and in the zygomatic and/or temporal regions is the dominant symptom. Riehl could find no explanation for the condition, but suggested that certain foods used during the war could be responsible. Riehl's melanosis has later been observed in dark-complexioned people in whom hyperpigmentation with pigment incontinence may be the main sign of contact dermatitis caused by certain allergens. Riehl's melanosis is today almost synonymous with pigmented contact dermatitis of the face. The commonest cause has been sensitizing chemicals in cosmetics.
