Contact sensitizations in massage therapists with occupational contact dermatitis: Patch test data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, 2008–2020

Abstract

Background Massage therapists are particularly exposed to constituents of massage preparations, wet work and mechanical strain and therefore, at high risk to develop occupational dermatitis (OD). Objectives To describe the sensitization spectrum of massage therapists with OD. Patients and Methods In a retrospective study, patch test data of patients with OD (128 massage therapists and 24 374 patients working in other professions) collected by the Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK, 2008–2020) were analysed. Results Hand dermatitis (91.4%) and allergic contact dermatitis (34.4%) were common in massage therapists with OD. Most frequent were sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils which were found in 54 (42.2%) massage therapists and thus, more often than in other patients with OD. Concomitant positivity to several fragrances/essential oils was frequent. In 8 (14.8%) of the 54 massage therapists, sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils were not detected with the baseline series, but only with special fragrance series. Conclusions Allergic contact dermatitis is common in massage therapists with OD and is mainly caused by fragrances and essential oils. Hence, massage therapists should be aware of this risk. When OD is suspected, not only the baseline series, but also special fragrance series should be patch tested in this occupational group.

Are There Ethnic Differences in Hand Eczema? A Review

“…Based on a study involving 14 essential oils (which excludes, among others, lavender oil), the five most common essential oils that result in positive patch testing appear to be, in decreasing order, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, jasmine absolute, sandalwood, and clove oils [ 46 ], although more recent literature noted that neroli oil and narcissus absolute increasingly resulted in positive patch testing as well [ 47 ]. Cases of sensitization to lavender oil have been reported in aromatherapists and massage therapists, but lavender oil has not been included in certain patch testing investigations because, among other reasons, it appears that standardized test preparations of oxidized lavender oil are presently not easily commercially available [ 47 ]. Contact dermatitis arising from aromatherapy could possibly be due to direct and airborne exposure [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Epidemiological case‐control study on contact sensitisation in female foot care specialists with occupational contact dermatitis: Patch test data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2008 to 2022

“…15,19 Sensitisation to MI due to cosmetics peaked in Europe during the study period in 2013/2014 and had thus impact on our data. 20 Similarly, sensitisations to fragrances could be partially related to occupational exposure to these commonly scented products as also seen in massage therapists 21 and geriatric nurses. 15 Thiurams, to which sensitisations were frequently observed in FCS with OD, and particularly the chemically related carbamates are commonly used as accelerators in the production of medical rubber gloves which are frequently worn by FCS at work.…”

New causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis

“…Brans et al [10] examined contact sensitization in massage therapists using data from the German patch test database. In 128 massage therapists, 34.4% had OACD.…”