J. Vilaplana

Contact dermatitis and adverse oral mucous membrane reactions related to the use of dental prostheses.

The latest trends in the use and composition of dental prostheses have been reviewed, and 66 patients referred by dermatologists and odontologists patch tested. The allergen series used were: TRUE Test™ standard series; Chemotechnique denial screening series; specially prepared metals series. The allergens found to be positive, in order of frequency, were: nickel, cobalt, potassium dichromate, rhodium, palladium, mercury, beryllium, methyl methacrytale, copper and zinc.

Contact dermatitis from nickel: an investigation of its sources

Patch tests with the GEIDC standard series of allergens, and with 8 washers made of copper, nickel, nickel‐palladium, palladium, brass, bronze, gold and iron, were carried out in 964 consecutive patients who complainted of intolerance to metals and in 200 controls who did not. All subjects were also questioned as in personal and family history of atopy, occupational contact and intolerance to gold. The results provide support for the substitution of nickel in imitation jewelry with metals such as palladium or bronze.

Human irritant response to qualities and concentrations of cocoamidopropylbetaines: a possible model of paradoxical irritant response

Cocoamidopropylbetatnes arc surfactants frequently used in cosmetics. We have evaluated the irritant capacity of 3 different qualities of cocoamidopropylbetaine, using the following method; patch tests have been carried out with 5 different dilutions in 67 patients and the results read at 2 days by noninvasive methods (direct visualization, transepidermal water loss (TEWL). laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF)). The results with the 3 methods were concordant. However, the results with the different concentrations were paradoxical, as irritancy did not increase at higher concentrations We have tried to explain this by the fact that these substances contain by‐products (free amidoamine and sodium monochloroacetate), the concentrations tested all being above the critical micelle concentration and therefore containing both micelles and monomer. Finally, we believe that noninvasive methods such as TEWL and LDF could be of treat use in the evaluation of irritant contact dermatitis

Flutamide photosensitivity : residual vitiliginous lesions

A case of flutamide photosensitivity is reported in a patient receiving treatment for prostate cancer. Photopatch testing with flutamide at 10 and 20% in acetone was positive and controls negative. Other reports in the literature indicate that flutamide photosensitivity can be produced either by UV‐A or UV‐B, but the small number of reports and the differences in the tests performed do not allow the specific characteristics of flutamide photosensitivity to be established. Presently it would be advisable, due to the frequent use of this drug, to include flutamide in the investigation of photosensitive patients.

New trends in the use of metals in jewellery

Owing, on the one hand, In the constant increase in the %s of nickel sensitization in the majority of allergy departments of dermatology and. on the other, to the fact that sensitization to nickel is almost always through contact with jewellery and imitation jewellery, an update was earned out on the metal alloys principally used in the manufacture of such jewellery (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, winch straps, etc.) The conclusions of this review demonstrate that nickel is irreplaceable in the majority of the alloys, because of its excellent technical properties and low‐ price and, as a result, the % of sensitizations to this allergen will not only maintain their present high level but will probably increase in the future.

Formulation of a barrier cream against chromate.

A topical cosmetic cream has been developed for use on patients oucupationally sensitized to chromate. Wild the components of this preparation, an in vitro study was carried out. which demonstrated the efficiency of each component. An in vivo experiment on 25 volunteer patients proved, a failure. The formula was modified to produce a new cream. The in vitro and in vivo experiences showed satisfactory results in 60 volunteer patients, 60% of whom benefitted from using it.

Contact sensitivity to meth(acrylates) in a limb prothesis

!. Pilger C, Nethercott J R, Weksberg F. Allergic contact dermatitis due to biocide containing 5chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one. Contact Dermatitis 1986: 14: 201-204. 2. Bruze M, Dahlquist I, Fregert S, Gruvberger B, Persson K. Contact allergy to the active ingredients of Kathon® CG. Contact Dermatitis 1987: 16: 183-188. 3. Bruze M, Dahlquist I, Gruvberger B. Contact allergy to dichlorinated methylisothiazolinone. Contact Dermatitis 1989: 20: 219-220. 4. Bruze M, Fregert S, Gruvberger B, Persson K. Contact allergy to the active ingredients of KaContact Dermatitis 1989: 21: 125

Contact dermatitis from nickel and cobalt in a contact lens cleaning solution.

part of the vamp. This device does not let the foot fall and does not let the leg intraor extrarotate; it helps to keep the foot in the right position for correct ambulation. PTBP-FR is widely used in many adhesive formulations, particularly for leather articles (1). In a large series of 1966 patients (2), positive patch test reactions were reported in 3 (1.5%). Concomitant positive reactions to other phenol-formaldehyde resins are not frequently reported and it is possible that such resins, widely used in equipment for electric insulation, as well as in adhesives, contain different sensitizers (3, 4). Whenever she used the orthopedic foot device, the patient developed dermatitis and sometimes slowly healing ulcers; patch test results confirmed the clinical evidence and indicated that the lesions were caused by the adhesive which fixed the leather covering of the plaster cast to the foam-rubber padding and to the rigid frame. SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Low irritancy of 2-day occlusive patch test with calcipotriol cream

erages well. Her dermatological history included intermittent rhinoconjunctivitis and flexural eczema during childhood. Open patch testing (exposure time 20 min) with 2 different beers (Weihenstephan HefeweiBbier, Franziskaner WeiBbier) showed no reaction. Prick testing with both beers gave local wheals after 10 min. Positive prick tests were also found with oats, wheat flour and barley flour (Table 1). No reactions occurred on testing with other common inhalant allergens. Serum IgE was 52 kU/1 (Cap-Feia, Pharmacia). Specific IgE was found for wheat flour and barley flour, but not for yeast, hops or malt (Table 2).

Problems in the Diagnosis of Contact Dermatitis by Tattooing

The knowledge of the chemical composition of the most commonly used pigments is necessary for the diagnosis of some cases of contact eczemas caused by tattoos. Several techniques of chemical analysis and characterization were used to study the materials involved in a permanent tattooing process such as pigments, solvents, needles and specially in the metals contained in them. A battery of patch tests is proposed that includes some substances characterized in the analysed pigments.