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Background Essential oils (EOs) are widely used in cosmetics, perfumes, massage fluids, aroma therapy and natural medicine. Some EOs contain contact sensitizers. Objectives To describe the frequency of sensitization to EOs in dermatitis patients presenting in skin clinics including concomitant reactions, to evaluate the EO patch test preparations and to identify patient groups with an increased risk of EO sensitization. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2010–2019. Results Twelve EOs were patch tested in an aimed manner in 10 930 patients, of whom 908 (8.3%) reacted to at least 1 EO. Only 6 EOs elicited more than 1% positive patch test reactions: ylang ylang (I + II) oil (3.9%), lemongrass oil (2.6%), jasmine absolute (1.8%), sandalwood oil (1.8%), clove oil (1.6%) and neroli oil (1.1%). Concomitant reactions among EOs or to EOs and fragrances were frequent. Among EO‐positive patients, women, leg dermatitis patients, patients aged 40 years or more, masseurs and cosmeticians were over‐represented. Conclusions Sensitization to EOs occurs, albeit infrequently in most cases. Masseurs and cosmeticians have an increased risk of sensitization to EOs.

Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft : JDDG = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology 20(5), 712-734 (2022). doi:10.1111/ddg.14734, Published by Wiley-Blackwell, Berlin

BACKGROUND Professional musicians have prolonged and intense physical contact with their instruments. This can lead to occupational skin diseases, particularly irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES To assess the skin diseases and sensitization patterns common among professional musicians. METHODS A retrospective analysis of the data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) was performed, including data from 1997 to 2017. RESULTS We identified 236 professional musicians. In this group, male sex (58.6%) and younger age (60.6% aged < 40 years) were common. The musicians suffered more frequently from facial dermatitis (23.7% vs 15.7%) and less often from leg dermatitis (5.1% vs 10.7%) than the control group (the non-musicians in the IVDK database). The most frequent diagnoses were allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis. The sensitization profile of the professional musicians was similar to that of the control group. In 8.9% of cases, an occupational background of skin disease was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS Severe occupational skin diseases among professional musicians are not as common as in classic "skin-damaging" professions. However, as these skin conditions can mostly be controlled with simple preventive measures, we recommend that this group should be patch tested and treated by a specialist.