Contact allergy to ingredients of topical medications: results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA), 2009–2012

Abstract

Several of the substances warrant routine screening for contact allergy, i.e. patch testing in a baseline series. However, in view of a vast number of other topical agents, additional patch testing with the suspect topical drug preparations (including natural remedies and cosmetics) is warranted. In the event of a positive test to the (pharmaceutical) product, single ingredients should be tested individually to precisely identify the hapten(s). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): polysensitization, 2009–2014

“…For example, the sensitization prevalence of primin in Europe has considerably decreased in the last decade, most likely as a result of the introduction of primin‐free cultivars of P. obconica H. in 2000 . The same is true for clioquinol, with stable low prevalences in the last decade (< 0.5%), so its inclusion in the EBS seems no longer warranted .…”

Cutaneous adverse drug reaction after apomorphine infusion, possibly caused by a systemic type IV hypersensitivity reaction to sodium metabisulfite: Report of 2 cases

“…Hypersensitivity reactions to sodium metabisulfite are well known. Sodium metabisulfite contact allergy was seen in 3.12% of consecutively patch tested dermatitis patients . Reports of contact dermatitis after topical application of sodium metabisulfite or after occupational exposure are numerous .…”

New positive patch test reactions on day 7—The additional value of the day 7 patch test reading

“…Age was categorized into the following groups: <18, 19 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60, and ≥61 years. To analyse the influence of type of allergen, allergens were grouped on the basis of chemical structure, cross‐reactivity, and co‐sensitization, resulting in seven groups: metals, preservatives, fragrances, rubbers, dyes, topical medicaments ("topicals"), and corticosteroids (Table ) . A positive reaction to at least one of the allergens in the group was counted as an overall positive group reaction.…”