A survey of members of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy and the EU project "StanDerm" to identify allergens tested in cosmetic series across Europe.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no agreed cosmetic series for use across Europe. OBJECTIVES: To establish allergens currently tested in local and national cosmetic series. METHOD: Members of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology project TD1206 ("StanDerm") were surveyed to establish their current practice. RESULTS: A wide range of allergens was tested but there was significant variation between centres on the allergens considered to be important in screening for allergy to cosmetics. The number of allergens tested in addition to the baseline series varied between 2 and 50. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for further investigation to establish the frequency and relevance of reactions to cosmetic allergens to enable an agreed evidence-based cosmetic series to be produced. Criteria for inclusion need to be established.

Metal allergy and second-generation metal-on-metal arthroplasties.

There are concerns about the induction of metal allergy with second-generation metal-on-metal prostheses, and the role that this may play in the development of complications such as 'pseudotumours' or failure of the implant. In this review, we attempt to set out the current knowledge on this subject. From a review of the literature, it is apparent that the first-generation metal-on-metal replacement hips did cause metal sensitization, and that joint failure was associated with this, although it is still not clear which one led to the other. Highly engineered second-generation metal-on-metal arthroplasties used in joint resurfacings are now increasingly employed. Several studies have recently shown an association between metal sensitization and peri-implant hypersensitivity reactions and implant loosening and failure, although the overall risk appears to be low. The pragmatic approach adopted by most contact dermatologists for patients known to be allergic to nickel, cobalt or chromium and who require joint replacement is to recommend prostheses made of titanium-based alloys. Patch testing continues to be a useful tool as laboratory investigations for metal hypersensitivity continue to emerge. The development of guidelines on the management of patients receiving metal-on-metal arthroplasties suspected of being metal-allergic is desirable.

Dermatological emergencies.

Acute dermatological problems are seen regularly by physicians. This review aims to provide a framework for the diagnosis and management of urgent dermatological conditions. Cutaneous drug reactions are commonly seen and the different clinical presentations are discussed including the less common but important drug reactions Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Erythrodermic patients also require prompt evaluation and management. Current guidelines for the management of urticaria and the common acquired autoimmune bullous disorders will be discussed. Patients with complications of eczema and psoriasis frequently require urgent in-patient management and patients with cellulitis and leg ulcers are also seen regularly on acute medical receiving units often requiring both medical and dermatological input.