Myroxylon pereirae (balsam of Peru): Still worth testing?

Abstract

Background Because Myroxylon pereirae (MP), or balsam of Peru, is nowadays almost not used “as such,” and fragrance mix 1 (FM1) apparently is more sensitive in detecting fragrance allergy, the usefulness of testing MP in baseline series was recently questioned. Objectives Identification of the number of clinically relevant patch test reactions to MP not detected by FM1. Methods Retrospective analysis of 12 030 patients patch tested with MP and FM1 for contact dermatitis between January 2018 and December 2019 in 13 Italian dermatology clinics. Results Four hundred thirty‐nine patients (3.6%) had a positive patch test reaction to MP; 437 (3.6%) had a positive patch test reaction to FM1. Positive reactions to both MP and FM1 were observed in 119 subjects (1.0%), 310 (2.6%) reacted to MP only, 304 (2.5%) to FM1 only, 5 to MP and sorbitan sesquioleate (SSO), 9 to FM1 and SSO, and 5 to MP, FM1, and SSO. Single sensitizations were clinically relevant in 75.2% of cases for MP (62.9% current, 12.3% past) and 76.3% for FM1 (70.1% current, 6.2% past). Conclusions Based on our results, MP appears to be still worth testing along with FM1 in baseline series, because it allows detection of a remarkable number of fragrance allergies, often relevant, which would be otherwise missed.

Simultaneous patch testing with fragrance markers in the baseline series and the ingredients of fragrance mixes: An update from southern Sweden

“…The recent prevalences of BOP CA have been reported to be 2.5% to 6.6% in dermatitis patients who underwent patch testing, 1,2,12,[22][23][24][25] which were slightly lower than this study (7.1%). The exposure through the oral mucosa might be sensitized by overlooked exposure.…”

“…The exposure through the oral mucosa might be sensitized by overlooked exposure 26 . This study found that the prevalence of concurrent reactions between BOP and FM I was 2.6% in overall dermatitis patients (Figure 2), which was higher than the previous reports 2,23 . Correspondingly, the concurrent reactions BOP were found in 41.2% of FM I CA patients.…”

“…26 This study found that the prevalence of concurrent reactions between BOP and FM I was 2.6% in overall dermatitis patients (Figure 2), which was higher than the previous reports. 2,23 Correspondingly, the concurrent reactions BOP were found in 41.2% of FM I CA patients. The mutual components rated to have high frequencies of concurrent positive reactions to BOP were isoeugenol, eugenol, and cinnamyl alcohol, which are ingredients in FM I; whereas the reaction to farnesol (a component of FM II) was low.…”

Contact allergy to SIDAPA baseline series allergens in patients with eyelid dermatitis: An Italian multicentre study

“…Fragrances (fragrance mix I, fragrance mix II, and Myroxylon pereira) are highly involved in eyelid dermatitis both through direct application of cosmetics and through air fresheners (e.g., essential oil diffusers). [27][28][29] Among the fragrances, only positive reactions to fragrance mix II resulted significantly higher in E-Group than in NE-Group. Regarding the positive reactions to the other 2 allergens significantly more frequent in E-Group patients, both surfactants, DMAPA is responsible for eyelid dermatitis due to shampoos and make-up removers, 30,31 while SSO is a water-dispersible emulsifier present in several cosmetics 4 and ophthalmic products, 32 tested in the SIDAPA baseline series since 2016.…”

“…Surprisingly, MCI/MI resulted positive more frequently in NE‐Group than in E‐Group (6.5% and 5.5%, respectively), probably due to the widespread use of these preservatives in household products, such as paints and domestic detergents. Fragrances (fragrance mix I, fragrance mix II, and Myroxylon pereira ) are highly involved in eyelid dermatitis both through direct application of cosmetics and through air fresheners (e.g., essential oil diffusers) 27–29 . Among the fragrances, only positive reactions to fragrance mix II resulted significantly higher in E‐Group than in NE‐Group.…”