Background:
Contact dermatitis from phosphorus sesquisulfide, contained in some brands of matches, is quite well known. It can present with various different clinical pictures according to site, morphology, sex, and pathogenic mechanism. The most usual form is that of common allergic contact dermatitis, whereas airborne contact dermatitis and airborne contact urticaria are rarer and less known forms. This retrospective study reviewed our experience of contact allergy to phosphorus sesquisulfide. A total of 162 patients were included.
Results:
One hundred seventeen patients (72.2%) were found to have been affected by the classic form of contact allergy by showing eczematous patches on the thighs and/or breasts. In the other 45 subjects (27.8%), the same picture was associated with airborne contact allergy.
Conclusions:
Phosphorus sesquisulfide is an airborne allergen that should be borne in mind not only in classic forms of contact dermatitis induced by contact with this substance, but also in all cases of recurrent facial eczema in both smokers and nonsmokers.
