No abstract

Sensitization to contact allergens in atopics was assessed by grouping 989 patients, who were routinely patch tested, by their personal atopic status. Sensitization to > or = 1 allergens occurred in 38% of the 191 patients with existing atopic eczema, in 53% of the 120 with a past history of atopic eczema, in 54% of the 156 with only mucous membrane atopy and in 50% of the 510 who were not atopic. Sensitization to perfume, a common environmental allergen, was similar in all 4 groups, as was nickel among women. Patients with atopic eczema should be patch tested.

Hand eczema among 50 caterers was occupational in 47 and endogenous in 3 cases. Irritants were considered more important than sensitisers. There was a correlation between atopy and sensitisation to type-I but not type-IV allergens. The commonest type-I sensitiser was fish and for type-IV was garlic. Dilutions of garlic and of onion 50% in arachis oil were not irritant and seemed effective patch test materials. The prognosis was not good and the hand eczema continued even in some of those who changed their jobs.