Background
We observed an increasing number of patients who presented with facial or retro‐auricular dermatitis after skin contact with plastic spectacles or plastic covered temples.
Objectives
To ...identify the allergens in plastic spectacles that may cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Methods
All patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis to eyewear were tested with Solvent Orange 60 (SO60), four additionally with Solvent Yellow 14 (SY14), and five with scrapings from their own spectacles. In one case, a chemical analysis of the spectacles was performed to uncover the causative allergen.
Results
Three patients were allergic to SO60, two patients to SY14, and two patients were allergic to both SO60 and SY14.
Conclusion
Patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis from spectacles should be tested with SO60 and SY14, and based on findings from previous reports, also with Solvent Red 179.
Background
The number of patients with contact dermatitis from glucose sensors and insulin infusion sets is increasing. Patch testing is challenging because of a lack of information concerning the ...constituent materials of medical devices.
Objectives
To report on products and causes of allergic reactions to glucose sensors or insulin infusion sets over a 5‐year period and suggest a short screening series.
Methods
Analysis of patch test data from consecutive patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to glucose sensors and/or insulin infusion sets from 2015–2019.
Results
Patient numbers increased from 4 to 15 per year; 30/38 (78.9%) were children. In 29 (76.3%), a diagnosis of allergic/probable ACD was established, mostly due to the tapes of the device or allergens in these tapes (n = 23) followed by allergens in the device housing (n = 10). Isobornyl acrylate, abitol, and colophonium were the most common allergens. Information from manufacturers was often difficult to obtain and, if accessible, inadequate. For this reason, the diagnosis was delayed for more than 1.5 years in 12 (31%) patients.
Conclusions
The increasing number of patients, mostly children, with ACD from devices used in treatment of type 1 diabetes demonstrates the importance of this problem. Allergies can easily be overlooked, due to the lack of mandatory labeling of the constituent materials of the devices.
Background
Recent population‐based studies on the incidence rates (IRs) of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) are sparse.
Objectives
To determine the IRs of OCD and development thereof between ...2007 and 2018 in known risk occupations.
Methods
Data on all recognized cases of OCD were used to calculate IRs as the number of recognized OCD cases per 10 000 workers per year. Asymptotic chi‐square test was used to compare the IRs between 2007‐2012 and 2013‐2018.
Results
The median age at notification of OCD was below 30 years for several of the examined occupations. Hairdressers and beauticians, bakers, dentists and dental assistants, and manufacturing of windmills had the highest overall IRs of OCD. We found a statistically significant increase in the IRs of OCD for child/nursery care workers.
Conclusions
The median age at notification of OCD was low for several of the occupations, signifying the need for further preventive strategies among young people. Based on the IRs of OCD, future preventive efforts should be directed at hairdressers and beauticians, bakers, dentists and dental assistants, and manufacturing of windmills. Furthermore, the statistically significant increase in IRs of OCD among child/nursery care workers highlights the need for further preventive strategies in this field.
Background
Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is a common occupational disease. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a known risk factor for OCD.
Objectives
To determine the prevalence of previously ...diagnosed AD among young workers with recognized OCD and assess its impact on OCD prognosis.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study. A questionnaire was sent to 6251 workers with recognized OCD who were under 35 years at notification (response rate: 47%). Of the respondents, 2392 answered a question about previous doctor‐diagnosed AD and were included in the study. Eczema severity, occupational consequences and quality of life were examined using statistical analyses comparing workers with and without previously diagnosed AD.
Results
The prevalence of previously diagnosed AD was 41.8% (95% CI: 39.8–43.8). Women had a higher AD prevalence, and workers with AD reported OCD at a younger age. Workers with AD reported more frequent and severe eczema symptoms and had a higher risk of OCD negatively affecting job and occupation choices. Health‐related quality of life was more adversely affected in workers with AD.
Conclusions
AD significantly impacts severity and has long‐term consequences for young people with OCD. Targeted prevention strategies need to be developed.
Background
Studies on the causes and consequences of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) among young workers are non‐existent.
Objectives
Determine causes and consequences of OCD among workers ...younger than 35 years of age.
Methods
A questionnaire was sent to 6251 workers younger than 35 years at notification with recognized OCD (response rate 47%).
Results
The most prevalent occupations were health care workers, kitchen workers, nursery teachers, and hairdressers and beauticians. Seventy‐six percent still had eczema, and 77% of these had eczema half to all the time over the last 3 months, with 61% evaluating their eczema as moderate to very severe. Fifty‐three percent had changed their occupation since notification, and 42.5% had lost their job because of OCD. Allergic OCD increased the odds ratio (OR) for facial or foot eczema, job loss, change in work tasks, difficulties finding work, decrease in income, and sick leave. Age at notification of 25 years of age or younger increased the risk of job loss and feeling restricted in choice of job. Workers in the food industry had a higher OR for job loss, whereas hairdressers and beauticians had a higher risk of job loss and a decrease in income.
Conclusions
The severe, long‐term consequences of OCD notification signify the need for further preventive strategies among young workers.
In young persons who were 35 years of age or younger at notification of occupational hand eczema (OCD), most had current eczema problems a median of 6 years later.
Many had to change occupation or had lost their job because of the recognized OCD. If 25 years of age or younger, the consequences for their job situation were worse.
OCD caused moderate to severe negative effects on life quality: emotions, feelings, and symptoms.
Only few studies on contact allergy in African countries have been published. The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of the most common contact allergens identified by the use of ...patch tests in African countries based on a review of the existing literature. A total of twenty‐four publications from eight African countries were initially identified by search in PubMed. The s and method sections were screened, and 15 studies in which patch tests were actually used to identify the allergen causing the allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) were finally selected. Nickel, cobalt, chromium, fragrance mix and p‐tert‐butylphenol‐formaldehyde resin were the dominating contact allergens responsible for 40%–90% of the positive patch test reactions. This study indicates that a targeted effort directed towards prevention, avoidance and regulation of reliably identified contact allergens could reduce the disease burden of ACD considerable in some African countries.
Background
Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is a prevalent, often chronic disease that poses a risk for job loss and decreased quality of life. In Germany, a multi‐step prevention programme ...emphasising early detection and highly specialised multidisciplinary treatment has been implemented with great success.
Objectives
To examine the effectiveness of a Danish‐adapted version of the German prevention effort on OCD severity, quality of life and occupational consequences at 3‐month follow‐up.
Methods
Randomised, controlled trial. Participants were recruited after the first referral from General Practitioner to Dermatologist with suspected OCD. The intervention group (IG) received a Danish‐adapted, multidisciplinary intervention, while the control group (CG) navigated the Danish healthcare system without interference from the study. OCD severity, occupational consequences and quality of life were assessed at 3‐month follow‐up using self‐reported questionnaires.
Results
A statistically significant decrease in the severity of eczema was found at 3‐month follow‐up in the IG compared to the CG. The IG were statistically significantly more likely to have seen a dermatologist at 3‐month follow‐up. Higher treatment level in the IG was indicated by the results but was not statistically significant. No significant difference was found in quality of life or occupational consequences.
Conclusions
These initial findings suggest that early and specialised treatment of OCD improves OCD prognosis.
Randomised controlled trial examining the effect of an intervention consisting of fast dermatological treatment, extensive exposure assessment, extended allergen testing and education on skin protective behaviour in patients with suspected occupational hand eczema (OHE).
At 3‐month follow‐up by questionnaire intervention group participants had:
Significantly less OHE
Significantly lower severity of OHE
Were significantly more likely to have seen a dermatologist.
