One hundred years of allergic contact dermatitis due to oxidized terpenes: What we can learn from old research on turpentine allergy.

Although in recent years the focus on sensitizing terpene oxidation products has been on oxidized limonene and linalool, the autoxidation of terpenes in relation to allergic contact dermatitis is not new and dates back to the early part of the 20th century with the use of turpentine causing occupational contact dermatitis in painters. This review is written in a way as to allow us to get closer to the work of the scientists in earlier days, to participate in the successes, and also to observe the weak points. The researchers concluded that the main culprit in Scandinavian turpentine was Δ3 -carene hydroperoxides. This explains its high sensitizing effect compared with French turpentine which is of the Iberian type with no or only traces of Δ3 -carene. Historical exposure to turpentine showed that ending the industrial exposure stopped the occupational skin sensitization. Patch test studies demonstrated that monoterpene hydroperoxides, far from being an obsolete source of contact allergy solely related to turpentine, is a common cause of contact allergy in the population. A hundred years of extensive chemical and clinical studies worldwide should be sufficient to meet the evidence requirement regarding allergic contact dermatitis caused by terpenes.

Hand dermatitis/eczema: current management strategy.

Ever since its inception a couple of centuries ago, hand dermatitis/eczema has been in the reckoning. Idiosyncrasies continued to loom large thereafter, till it acquired its appropriate position. Dermatitis/eczema are synonymous, often used to indicate a polymorphic pattern of the inflammation of the skin, characterized by pruritus, erythema and vesiculation. A spectrum delineated into acute sub-acute and chronic dermatitis of the hands. Pompholyx, recurrent focal palmer peeling, ring, wear and tear and fingertip eczema, apron, discoid eczema, chronic acral dermatitis, gut and patchy papulosquamous eczema are its clinical variants. Occupational dermatitis/eczema may be contributory. Etiological definitions are clinched by detailed history of exogenous and endogenous factors. However, scientific confirmation of the entity is through patch testing by using available antigens.

Elaioconiose: revisão de 10 anos / Elaioconiose: review of 10 years

As dermatoses ocupacionais particularmente a elaioconiose constituem em nosso meio uma parcela considerável dos acidntes de trabalho. É assunto de avaliação difícil e complexa, já que geralmente não chega às estatísticas e sequer ao conhecimento dos especialistas. Com a elaioconiose é provocada pelo contato contínuo da pele com o petróleo e seus derivados, este trabalho foi direcionado para a classificação de óleos minerais, particularmente os óleos de corte, os mais empregados na nossa indústria. Para esclarecimento desta condição são abordados também o quadro dermatológico e os métodos de prevenção e proteção do trabalhador. Finalmente, são discutidos os aspectos médico-legais da dermatose, já que muitas vezes o trablhador é afastado definitivamente da sua função.

[Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714). On the 275th anniversary of the death of the founder of occupational dermatology]. / Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714). Zum 275. Todestag des Begründers der Arbeitsdermatologie.

Ramazzini is not only reputed to be the father of industrial hygiene, but must be thought to be the founder of occupational dermatology too. In his famous book about diseases of artists and craftsmen (De morbis artificium diatriba) he shows us numerous job-caused dermatoses, their occupational background, and makes proposals for their treatment and prophylaxis. The medical inspection of the work place and asking for the occupational history of the patient are tracing back to him too. His life is described.

[History of contact dermatitis and its influence on today's occupational dermatology]. / Geschichte der Kontaktdermatitis und ihr Einfluss auf die heutige Arbeitsdermatologie.

Intolerance to individual substances was first described by Bateman 1817. The modern concept of allergic contact dermatitis was based on studies by Block, who also introduced the diagnostic patch testing 1910. Clinical studies in the 1930's established the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis and the common sensitizers. Irritant dermatitis was not understood until the last decades. The occupational dermatoses were largely neglected until the introduction of social security in 1912. Later many studies have been devoted to this field. Most important in the preventive work has been the establishment of sub-specialized departments of occupational dermatology.