A study of profile of contact dermatitis in housewives with reference to vegetables, soaps and detergents

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Contact dermatitis in housewives is a common dermatological problem as almost all housewives have to handle vegetables, fruits, soaps and detergents. The purpose of this project was to study etiologic profile of contact dermatitis occurring in housewives.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> One hundred housewives, clinically diagnosed as having contact dermatitis, were randomly selected for the study. Each patient was then subjected to patch testing using the Indian standard battery and certain indigenously prepared antigens i.e. vegetables, soaps and detergents. The first reading was taken 60 minutes with second reading at 96 hours. Reading equal to or more than 1+ was considered to be a positive test.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Majority patients were in the age group of 20-30 years. Morphological diagnosis was wear and tear dermatitis in 43%, discoid eczema (19%), fingertip eczema (16%), hyperkeratotic (15%) and pompholyx (7%). Nickel sulphate was found to be the commonest allergen (19%) followed by para-phenylenediamine (8%), fragnance mix (7%), Balsam of Peru (6%), parthenium (6%) and cobalt (5%). Amongst vegetables, the commonest culprit was garlic. Allergic reaction to detergents was positive in 13% patients. Forty-four percent of the cases tested positive to the suspected allergen whereas 31% patients tested positive for allergens not initially suspected of causing contact dermatitis in them.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Thus patch testing is an important tool in establishing the cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands in housewives in whom the hand eczema is multifactorial. This enables the correct etiological diagnosis and proper management of housewives with hand dermatitis.</p><p> </p>

Painful nails: A practical approach to the diagnosis and management of painful nail conditions

“…Housewives are at an increased risk of contact dermatitis as they tend to handle fruits and vegetables as well as soaps and detergents. 54 Approximately 16% of contact dermatitis in housewives shows a fingertip eczema pattern, with secondary onychodystrophy characterized by onycholysis, Beau's lines, and chronic paronychia. 54,55 It has been reported that the main irritants correspond to detergents, followed by vegetables, particularly garlic and onion.…”

“…54 Approximately 16% of contact dermatitis in housewives shows a fingertip eczema pattern, with secondary onychodystrophy characterized by onycholysis, Beau's lines, and chronic paronychia. 54,55 It has been reported that the main irritants correspond to detergents, followed by vegetables, particularly garlic and onion. 54 If not treated, the patient may experience intermittent painful episodes of acute inflammation plus esthetic discontent.…”

“…54,55 It has been reported that the main irritants correspond to detergents, followed by vegetables, particularly garlic and onion. 54 If not treated, the patient may experience intermittent painful episodes of acute inflammation plus esthetic discontent. General measures (e.g., use of moisturizers, rubber gloves with cotton liners while handling irritants) should be implemented in order to improve the healing time and prevent further recurrences.…”

Chronic paronychia and nail dystrophy: an atypical presentation of allergic contact dermatitis to garlic

“…The majority of cases of contact dermatitis to various vegetables, especially garlic and onion are described in homemakers indulging in peeling and cutting of raw vegetables, with duration varying from 1 month to 20 years 1–3 . Most patients present with erythema, scaling, and fissuring on the palmar aspect of tips of the thumb, index, and middle fingers of one or both hands, predominantly non‐dominant hand where the vegetable is usually held.…”

“…Patch test to ISS and allergens prepared from vegetables, detergents, and soaps was performed in 100 Indian females with contact dermatitis of the hands. Fifty‐five patients developed a positive reaction to vegetables, out of which 31 (56.6%) were allergic to garlic 1 …”