The fragrance hand immersion study - an experimental model simulating real-life exposure for allergic contact dermatitis on the hands.

Abstract

Recently, we showed that 10 x 2% of consecutively patch-tested hand eczema patients had a positive patch test to a selection of fragrances containing fragrances relevant to hand exposure. In this study, we used repeated skin exposure to a patch test-positive fragrance allergen in patients previously diagnosed with hand eczema to explore whether immersion of fingers in a solution with or without the patch-test-positive fragrance allergen would cause or exacerbate hand eczema on the exposed finger. The study was double blinded and randomized. All participants had a positive patch test to either hydroxycitronellal or Lyral (hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde). Each participant immersed a finger from each hand, once a day, in a solution containing the fragrance allergen or placebo. During the first 2 weeks, the concentration of fragrance allergen in the solution was low (approximately 10 p.p.m.), whilst during the following 2 weeks, the concentration was relatively high (approximately 250 p.p.m.), imitating real-life exposure to a household product like dishwashing liquid diluted in water and the undiluted product, respectively. Evaluation was made using a clinical scale and laser Doppler flow meter. 3 of 15 hand eczema patients developed eczema on the finger immersed in the fragrance-containing solution, 3 of 15 on the placebo finger and 3 of 15 on both fingers. Using this experimental exposure model simulating real-life exposure, we found no association between immersion of a finger in a solution containing fragrance and development of clinically visible eczema on the finger in 15 participants previously diagnosed with hand eczema and with a positive patch test to the fragrance in question.

• Authors: S Heydorn, T Menné, K E Andersen, M Bruze, C Svedman, D Basketter, J D Johansen
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 48 Issue 6 Pg. 324-30 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0105-1873 [Print] England
• PMID: 14531871 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Aldehydes
• Allergens
• Cyclohexenes
• Perfume
• Terpenes
• hydroxycitronellal
• hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde

Topics

• Adult
• Aldehydes (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Allergens (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Cyclohexenes
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Environmental Exposure
• Female
• Fingers
• Hand Dermatoses
• Humans
• Immersion
• Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Models, Biological
• Patch Tests
• Perfume (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Terpenes (administration & dosage, adverse effects)