Dermatitis®

Data on the prevalence of contact allergy in North America are currently reported by groups of academic contact allergy specialists at select academic centers. Sampling of data from numerous centers across North America, including practices performing more limited patch testing, would provide a broader perspective of contact allergen prevalence in North America. The American Contact Dermatitis Society Contact Allergy Management Program is an ideal tool for collection of epidemiologic data regarding contact allergy prevalence in North America.

The aim of the study was to identify the relative prevalence of contact allergy to common contact allergens in North America.

Mapping of Contact Allergy Management Program (CAMP) data was performed to allow analysis of how frequently searches were performed for various contact allergens. The number of searches performed for specific allergens provides a measure of the relative prevalence of contact allergy to these allergens.

The top 35 allergens for the period from November 18, 2012 to November 18, 2013 are reported. Although these data are useful, specific recommendations for minor alterations to CAMP are discussed, which will allow future CAMP data to be stratified and more powerful.

With minor modifications, CAMP can provide a quantum leap in the reporting of contact allergy epidemiologic data in North America.

The usage prevalence of ingredients in topical products is important to dermatologists and industry.

To determine the prevalence of methylisothiazolinone (MI) in various types of consumer products

The Contact Allergy Management Program (CAMP) database was mapped and sorted in spreadsheet format to determine the prevalence of MI in various types of consumer products.

Methylisothiazolinone was found in 13.2% of 4660 total products in CAMP. High usage of MI was seen in dishwashing products (64%), shampoos (53%), bathroom/kitchen/all-purpose cleaners (47%), hair conditioners (45%), hair dyes (43%), laundry additives/fresheners/softeners (30%), soaps/cleansers (29%), and surface cleaners/disinfectants (27%). Of the products containing MI, MI alone (without methylchloroisothiazolinone) was most common in makeup products (100%), cleaning/dish/laundry products (>99%), moisturizers (82%), shaving products (78%), sunscreens (71%), and antiaging products (67%).

The American Contact Dermatitis Society’s CAMP is a valuable tool to collect epidemiologic data on the incidence of specific ingredient usage in various types of topical products.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a detergent and preservative found in health care and household products, is an established irritant, yet BAK is seldom considered to cause allergic contact dermatitis. We have, however, observed positive patch test reactions more often than is typically reported. From 2001 through 2005 and 2006 through 2010, BAK was among the top 10 most frequent allergens in our standard series.

The aim of this study was to review the Mayo Clinic experience from 2000 to 2012 with patch testing to BAK.

An electronic patch test database was used to acquire results of patients who underwent patch testing for BAK 0.1% aqueous after it was introduced to the standard series in 2000 until 2012. Previous reports (1998–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010) from our institution were also reviewed.

Our study showed BAK to be an allergen of increasing importance. From 1998 through 2000, 2001 through 2005, and 2006 through 2010, the rate of allergic patch test results to BAK increased. More than half of the reactions in each period studied were graded as macular erythema, with at least one third of all reactions deemed to be relevant. Irritancy rates were consistently low.

Formaldehyde is a widely used organic compound, used in several applications (hard thermoset resins, adhesives, disinfectants, tissue fixatives, etc), in its free form or released by formaldehyde releaser products. Its use is under control due to its toxic, carcinogenic, and allergenic properties.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of formaldehyde sensitization, time trend, and correlation to occupations.

This study is a cross-sectional study on a population of 23,774 patients tested from 1996 to 2012 in Northeastern Italy.

Frequency of sensitization was 3.3%, without any significant time trend. Hands (39.8% overall) and face (25.6% females, 15.5% males) were mainly involved. We found a trend toward decrease by age in females (3.11% in first quintile [14–26 years], 2.29% in fifth quintile [59–97 years], P < 0.01). On a logistic regression analysis (control group: white-collar workers), we found associations in health care (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.81), wood (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.30–3.51), and textile (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.14–2.79) sectors and professional drivers (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.05–3.60). We found a high rate of cosensitization to formaldehyde in patients with positive patch test reactions to quaternium-15 (OR, 18.7; 95% CI, 12.6–27.7).

Sensitization to formaldehyde is relevant in our population, especially in the health care sector, wood and textile industries, and professional drivers. No significant time trend was found.

Among artists, musicians may suffer from occupational skin problems; notwithstanding, these conditions have been rarely reviewed. The characteristics of individual performer and the type of instrument will determine the kind of disease. Moreover, the hours that the musician spent to advance artistic skill may influence the severity.

The frequency and risk factors of instrument-related skin disorders in musicians from southern Italy were analyzed.

An observational study was conducted in 628 musicians. A questionnaire including questions related to age, sex, instrument played, musical activity, previous or current skin disorders, and impact of skin symptoms on music making was submitted.

Of 628 musicians, 199 (31.7%) reported suffering from at least 1 skin disease. Cutaneous diseases likely directly correlated with the use of the musical instrument were found in 129 (20.5%) of the 628 subjects. In particular, different patterns of irritant contact dermatitis were found.

Skin conditions may be a significant problem in professional instrumentalists. They are mainly related to musical activity. Preventive measures should be established.

Occupational skin diseases are common. The occurrence of occupational skin diseases represents a failure of primary prevention strategies that may include the use of personal protective equipment, most commonly gloves.

The objective of this study was to describe current glove use and education practices related to gloves in workers being assessed for possible work-related hand dermatitis.

Participants included consecutive patients being assessed for possible work-related hand dermatitis. A self-administered questionnaire obtained information on demographics, workplace characteristics and exposures, glove use, and education regarding gloves.

Ninety percent of the 105 participants reported using gloves. Only 44% had received training related to glove use in the workplace. Major gaps in training content included skin care when using gloves, warning signs of skin problems, and glove size. If the worker indicated no glove training received, the majority reported they would have used gloves if such training was provided.

Although the majority of workers being assessed wore gloves, the minority had received training related to glove use. Particular gaps in training content were identified. Those who had not received training noted they would likely have used gloves if training had been provided.