Jussi Liippo

Contact sensitization to methylisothiazolinone in Finland--a multicentre study.

Background. Antimicrobials constitute the second most common cause of contact allergy to cosmetics. Methylisothiazolinone (MI), previously always used together with methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), has recently been approved in the EU for use on its own in cosmetics and also various industrial products. MCI has been classified as an extreme–strong and MI as a strong–moderate sensitizer.

The relevance of chlorhexidine contact allergy

Background. Chlorhexidine is used for disinfection of skin and mucosae in medicine and dentistry. Prolonged exposure may lead to contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis or stomatitis.

An epidemic of contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone in Finland

Kaija Lammintausta1, Kristiina Aalto-Korte2, Leena Ackerman3, Kristiina Alanko3, Päivikki Berry4, Taina Hasan5, Renata Kaminska6, Laura Korhonen5, Arja Laukkanen7, Jussi Liippo1, Maria Pesonen2, Tapio Rantanen8, Riita Riekki9 and Katri Suuronen2 1Department of Dermatology, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland, 2Department of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Control of Hypersensitivity Diseases, 00250 Helsinki, Finland, 3Department of Dermatology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, 00290 Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, 4Department of Dermatology, Allergy Centre, North Carelia Central Hospital, 80210, Joensuu, Finland, 5Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, 33521 Tampere, Finland, 6Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital of Keski-Pohjanmaa, 67200 Kokkola, UK, 7Department of Dermatology, Kuopio Unievrsity Hospital, 70211 Kuopio, Finland, 8Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital, Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care Group, 15850 Lahti, Finland, and 9Department of Dermatology, Oulu University Hospital, 90029 Helsinki, Finland

Contact sensitization to 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane and to isocyanates among general dermatology patients.

Background:u2002 Diisocyanates and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) are industrial sensitizers. Occupational asthma is a risk among workers exposed to diisocyanates. Exposure may also lead to contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis.

Sensitization to thiourea derivatives among Finnish patients with suspected contact dermatitis

Background: Thiourea derivatives in rubber products may induce contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis. Sensitization is most often from neoprene rubber, but the multitude of possible sensitizing products has remained poorly characterized.

Positive patch test reactions to gentamicin show sensitization to aminoglycosides from topical therapies, bone cements, and from systemic medication.

Background:u2002 A history of prolonged use of topical antimicrobials is common among patients with positive patch test reactions to gentamicin and to aminoglycosides.

Non-occupational contact sensitization to epoxy resin of bisphenol A among general dermatology patients.

Background. Sensitization to epoxy resins often results from occupational exposure in various fields of construction and industry. Non‐occupational sensitization sources and environments have remained overlooked.

Patch testing and sensitization to multiple drugs

Adverse drug reactions pose an increasing diagnostic challenge in hospitals and in outpatient clinics. When consecutive or repeated allergic drug eruptions are suspected, patch testing is a useful diagnostic tool for determining the causative drugs.

Allergy to carmine red (E120) is not dependent on concurrent mite allergy.

Background: Positive skin prick test (SPT) reactions to carmine red (E120) have been reported to occur concurrently with reactions to mites. The relationships between positive SPT reactions to carmine, carmine allergy and concurrent mite reactions are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of carmine sensitization and its clinical importance among patients with suspected allergy to food additives. Methods: The occurrence of positive SPT reactions to mites was studied in 6,464 patients: 3,164 were tested with carmine and 2,837 with shrimp. Carmine ingestion-associated symptoms were registered at the time of testing. Patients with positive SPT to carmine received a follow-up questionnaire on their symptoms 1–5 years later. Results: Positive SPT reactions to carmine were seen in 94 patients (3.0%) of whom 74% also had positive SPT reactions to mites and 22% to shrimp. Carmine ingestion-associated symptoms were not dependent on concurrent mite reactivity in 39/94 (42%) patients. Conclusions: Carmine sensitization without sensitization to mites is seen in one fourth of the patients. Allergic reactions to carmine are not dependent on concurrent reactivity to mites.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by diethylthiourea in a neoprene handle of a cleaning trolley

Conflicts of interest: None of the authors has any financial or other conflicts of interest. Funding: This work has received financial support from the Hospital District of Southwest Finland (EVO-grant). Thioureas are accelerators used in the manufacture of neoprene rubber. Contact sensitization and allergy to thioureas most commonly result from exposure to neoprene-containing orthopaedic braces, footwear, gloves, medical and healthcare devices, protective clothing, sportswear, and sports equipment (1–6), which