Contact
allergy is frequent among
dermatitis patients and subjects in the general population. This review aims to update the reader on the epidemiology of contact
allergy epidemics. It presents recent epidemiological data on metals, fragrances,
hair dyes, preservatives and thiurams. It concludes that the prevalence of
nickel allergy is decreasing among young women whereas the prevalence of
cobalt allergy remains stable. The prevalence of
chromium allergy is currently increasing significantly in both sexes, mainly as a result of leather exposure. The epidemiology of fragrance
allergy is changing as the prevalence of fragrance mix I and myroxylon pereirae
allergy has decreased significantly in recent years and as the prevalence of fragrance mix II
allergy has increased. The prevalence of
p-phenylenediamine allergy seems stable in Europe but remains high. The prevalence of isothiazolinone
allergy remains high whereas the prevalence of methyldibromo glutaronitrile
allergy has decreased following regulatory intervention. Finally, the prevalence of
thiuram allergy is decreasing as a result of improved rubber glove production.