Patterns of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in African Americans in a Major Metropolitan Area Over a 10-Year Period

Abstract

Background: Differences in patterns of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) among underrepresented minority populations are not well studied.Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate patterns of ACD in African American and White patch-tested patients in a distinct metropolitan area over a 10-year period.Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 297 ACD patients patch tested from 2009 to 2019. Differences in allergen frequency, relevance, and sources of exposure were evaluated. Fisher exact test analyses were performed to examine these differences.Results: Among 297 patients, 215 were White and 47 were African American. The most common sensitizers differed between the 2 groups. African American patients also reacted with statistically significant greater frequency to disperse dye blue ( P = 0.019) and textile dye mix ( P = 0.001). The most common source of positive patch tests for all patients was personal care products (72%). Occupational allergy was greater in African American male patients, and personal care product exposure was greater in White male patients ( P = 0.009).Conclusions: Our study highlights the differing patterns of sensitization seen in African American and White patients. This is likely due to differences in personal care product use or occupational allergy. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to expand upon these differences.

Dermatology in black skin

“… 32 The use of darker hair dyes in the black community may explain the greater sensitization to PPD and differences in sensitization patterns are likely due to cultural practices. 33 …”

American Contact Dermatitis Society Position Statement: Dermatitis and Skin of Color

“…32,33 Several studies have evaluated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) differences between Black and White individuals. [34][35][36][37][38] The largest study was completed by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) and reported patch test results for the years 1998-2006 for 1360 (7.1%) Black persons and 17,803 (92.9%) White persons. 37 Although the demographics of this study is closer to those reported by the 2000 39 and 2010 33 US Census Bureau, even this large data set underrepresents Black/African American and other minority participants.…”

“…Several studies have evaluated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) differences between Black and White individuals 34–38 . The largest study was completed by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) and reported patch test results for the years 1998–2006 for 1360 (7.1%) Black persons and 17,803 (92.9%) White persons 37 .…”