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This histological and immunohistochemical study of 6 food handlers affected by immediate contact dermatitis due to foods shows that apparently normal skin of patients with this condition presents several histological and immunohistochemical abnormalities. Skin biopsies of normal hand skin showed focal parakeratosis and moderately dense dermal infiltrates. Immunohistochemistry showed an increased number of Langerhans cells in the epidermis and in the superficial dermis and a mononuclear dermal infiltrate consisting of peripheral T lymphocytes with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 5-6/1. Biopsies of the immediate vesicular reactions induced by food showed spongiotic vesicles within the epidermis and a moderate to dense mononuclear dermal perivascular infiltrate. The immunohistochemical features were similar to those described in apparently normal skin. The mechanism of this immediate vesicular reaction requires further research. The rapid appearance of the lesions (after 20-30 min) probably excludes an immunological cell-mediated pathogenesis. A non-immunological mechanism due to direct liberation of mediators by foods is more readily conceivable than an immediate immunological type of contact reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites the case of a 33-year-old which confirms the rarity of allergic contact dermatitis from pyrocatechol, despite its wide usage. She had consulted for suspected contact dermatitis of her hands, dating from 10 years previously. She worked as a radiographer. The lesions were hyperkeratotic, squamous and very itchy. The patient was patch tested and she showed a strong positive reaction to pyrocatechol. Further patch tests with pyrocatechol were also positive. Patch tests with resorcinol and hydroquinone were negative.

Ethoxyquin is an antioxidant used to preserve animal feed (especially pig feed), sauces, salad creams, canned and frozen food, which can be a cause of contact dermatitis. Several cases have been reported, mostly from the Great Britain, Belgium and Portugal. In Denmark, where ethoxyquin was found to be responsible for contact dermatitis in apple packers, when used to prevent apple scald. The article discusses the case of a 21-year old female student with a pruritic erythematous vesicular dermatitis, starting periorally and on the backs and sides of the fingers of the right hand and subsequently spreading to the same areas of the left hand.

The article focuses on contact stomatitis caused due to NN-dimethyl-para-toludine. Allergic resins are among the most widely used compound in dental practice for construction of prostheses. These resins are produced by inducing polymerization of a mixture of methyl methacrylate monomer and polymethyl methacrylate powder with benzyl peroxide and an accelerator. In this process of polymerization is rarely complete. The article presents information on a case study of a 62 year old house wife with a problem of burning and soreness of the mouth which lasted for 1 month.

Although topical antihistamines are a frequent cause of contact dermatitis, contact sensitization to chlorpheniramine maleate, an antihistamine group, is reported to be rare. A 45-year old housewife had a chronic eczema of the face for 4 years. She had not been using topical medicaments or cosmetics there, with the exception of eyedrops used in the treatment of chronic conjunctivitis. Patch tests with the GIRDCA standard series and photopatch tests were negative. The patient had sporadically used an antihistamine cream containing chlorpheniramine maleate for the treatment of insect bites.