Mariko Sugiura

Results of patch testing with lavender oil in Japan

We report the annual results of patch testing with lavender oil for a 9‐year period from 1990 to 1998 in Japan. Using Finn Chambers and Scanpor tape, we performed 2‐day closed patch testing with lavender oil 20% pet. on the upper back of each patient suspected of having cosmetic contact dermatitis. We compared the frequency of positive patch tests to lavender oil each year with those to other fragrances. We diagnosed contact allergy when patch test reactions were + or <+ at 1 day after removal. The positivity rate of lavender oil was 3.7% (0–13.9%) during the 9‐year period from 1990 to 1998. The positivity rate of lavender oil increased suddenly in 1997. Recently, in Japan, there has been a trend for aromatherapy using lavender oil. With this trend, placing dried lavender flowers in pillows, drawers, cabinets, or rooms has become a new fashion. We asked patients who showed a positive reaction to lavender oil about their use of dried lavender flowers. We confirmed the use of dried lavender flowers in 5 cases out of 11 positive cases in 1997 and 8 out of 15 positive cases in 1998. We concluded that the increase in patch test positivity rates to lavender oil in 1997 and 1998 was due to the above fashion, rather than due to fragrances in cosmetic products.

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol in Indoor Air as a Possible Cause of Sick Building Symptoms.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya City Public Health Research Institute, Department of Medical Technology, Nagoya University School of Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine and Research Center for Radiation Emergency Medicine, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Japan

Experimental study on phototoxicity and the photosensitization potential of ketoprofen, suprofen, tiaprofenic acid and benzophenone and the photocross‐reactivity in guinea pigs

Background: Ketoprofen, suprofen and tiaprofenic acid are arylpropionic anti‐inflammatories. Their chemical structures share the same elements as the benzoyl radical and the tiophene ring. We experienced nine cases of ketoprofen photoallergy, seven cases of suprofen photoallergy and three cases of tiaprofenic photoallergy.

Experimental study on skin sensitization potencies and cross‐reactivities of hair‐dye‐related chemicals in guinea pigs

In screening patch testing of hairdressers with occupational contact dermatitis, multiple positive reactions to hair dye‐related chemicals, such as p‐phenylenediamine (PPD), p‐toluenediamine ·  2HCI (PTD) and p‐aminophenol (PAP), a fabric dye p‐aminoazobenzene (PAB), and a tar dye Sudan III, were frequently encountered. To investigate individual skin sensitization potency and the cross‐reactivities among above chemicals, a guinea pig maximization test with the above 5 chemicals was performed. In each group, 6 animals were induced with one of the chemicals at 0.1% concentration by intradermal injection and at 1.0% by topical application. The animals were challenged with all 5 chemicals in concentrations of dilution by 10 from 0.1% to 0.001%. Under the conditions of 0.1% challenges, similar sensitization potencies were observed in PPD (6/6), PTD (6/6), PAP (5/6) and PAB (6/6) groups, but no positive reactions were elicited in the Sudan III group. The cross‐reactivities to PPD were confirmed in the animals challenged with PTD (6/6), PAP (6/6), PAB (6/6) and Sudan III (3/6). In the PTD‐induced group, positive responses to cross‐challenges were elicited by PPD (5/6), PAP (3/6), PAB (5/6) and Sudan III (1/6). The cross‐reactivities to PAP were observed only with PPD (2/5) and PAB (5/5). PAB‐induced animals responded only to PPD (1/6). The results indicate that all these chemicals except Sudan III are strong sensitizers. Their cross‐reactivities are different in sensitized conditions, respectively. The cross‐reactivities to PPD were higher than those to PTD, PAP and PAB.

A case of contact urticaria syndrome due todi(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP) in work clothes

We previously reported a case of contact urticaria syndrome (CUS) due to di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP) in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) grip on cotton gloves. The patient reported in this previous paper was careful not to have any contact with PVC products in his daily life or in his working environment. He discontinued the use of protective gloves with a PVC grip that was the cause of CUS. When working, he used cotton gloves without a PVC grip. We prescribed antihistamines which slightly improved his condition. However, when he wore work clothes while on duty, CUS relapsed. This condition was severe and made him feel anxious. When we advised him to wear a cotton shirt under his work clothes, the contact urticaria did not develop. We suspected that some component of the work clothes was the cause of his symptoms. A prick test with the extract solution of his work clothes showed a wheal and flare at the 15 min reading. The common component of the grip and the work clothes was found by analysis to be DOP.

Contact urticaria due to polyethylene gloves

We report a rare case of contact urticaria due to polyethylene gloves. The patient, a 46‐year‐old cook, had had had chronic urticaria since 1985, and first visited our hospital in June 2000. We began by prescribing antihistamine and antiallergenic drugs for him, but his condition did not improve. From a detailed interview, we established that when he put on polyethylene gloves at work, his condition worsened. We suspected some component of his gloves to be the cause of his symptoms. Prick and scratch tests with a solution extracted from his gloves showed a wheal‐and‐flare reaction at 15 min. We advised him to wear a cotton shirt under his clothes in daily life, and to put on cotton gloves under his polyethylene gloves while at work. Subsequently, the size and the number of wheals were markedly smaller and the subjects symptoms were reduced.

Allergic contact dermatitis from enoxolone

Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; enoxolone; patch test; medicaments; ethyl aminobenzoate; procaine hydrochloride

Contact dermatitis due to 1,3-butylene glycol

Case Report A 28-year-old woman, with a past history of cosmetic dermatitis, changed her cosmetics at the end of February 1996. An itchy erythema developed on her face after 1 days use of the new cosmetics, though she continued to use them. On 7 March 1996, she presented with facial dermatitis. Using Finn Chambers and Scanpor tape, we patch tested the patient with her cosmetics, relevant allergens of cosmetics (7 perfumes, 4 bases, 3 dyes, 2 antiseptics and 1 surfactant), and hypoirritant cosmetics developed for sensitive skin. Readings were made at I h and I day after removal, according to ICDRG recommendations. The patient reacted positively ( + + D2 and D3) to a foundation cream that she had used, 18 hypoirritant cosmetics(?+ to++ D2 and D3) and 1,3-BG 5% aq. (++ D2 and D3). We confirmed that 1,3-BG was present in the foundation cream and in all 18 hypoirritant cosmetics.

It is true that, when Langerhans cells migrate from the skin to the lymph node, they are transported via lymph vessels.

Background: Generally, Langerhans cells deliver antigen information from the skin to the draining lymph nodes via lymph vessels. Methods: By immunohistopathology, we investigated the delivery route of Langerhans cells in human skin using CD1a and S-100 protein antibodies. Results: We noted CD1a- and S-100-positive Langerhans cells in the lymph vessels of the dermis. These were shaped like dendritic cells and presented with some lymphocytes, melanophages, melanin granules and lymph in the same vessels. Conclusion: These observations support the concept that Langerhans cells deliver antigen peptides to regional lymph nodes via afferent lymph vessels.

Immunosuppression by ultraviolet B rays via eyes in mice

Abstract Irradiation by ultraviolet B (UV-B; 280–320 nm) initiates suppression of contact hypersensitivity. Immunosuppression was induced in C57BL/6N Crj mice by exposure of the dorsal skin or the eyes to a 10 kJ/m 2 dose of UV-B radiation from 20SE sunlamps, followed by sensitization with 0.5% fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The degree of immunosuppression induced by UV-B eye irradiation was equal to that induced by UV-B skin irradiation. When mice were irradiated with UV-B into the eyes after the optic nerve had been cut, systemic immunosuppression was not induced.