New technologies cause qualitative changes in home chemistry, working conditions, chemical composition of drugs. As a result, we encounter new allergens, which the number of allergies sometimes increases rapidly. However, allergens are known that have been causing contact eczema for decades with an unchanged frequency. It also happens that thanks to the contemporary, sensitive skin tests, allergy is discovered with substances previously considered safe, such as the gold mentioned above.
The young woman bought a new, impressive earrings and a necklace, which included nickel. After a short time of wearing on the ear flaps and on the neck, erythema appeared and numerous lumps and exudative vesicles appeared beneath the skin. Then exudate and skin erosions appeared. Diagnosis by an allergist - allergy to nickel. The picture of the jewelry eliminated the symptoms of sensitization. Similar artificial contact allergens may be synthetic fibers produced from crude oil. from the so-called polyester, which can be found in almost every garment fabric, ie in shirts, clothing, upholstery.
What popular chemicals cause eczema?
Sensitizing chemical substances are most often considered as rubber components, (latex, vulcanization accelerators, antioxidants), tires, seals; epoxy resins (especially paint hardeners), solvents (turpentine), acrylic compounds, clothing dyes, etc.
Clothes, everyday products
Contact allergens may be synthetic fibers produced from petroleum. from the so-called polyester, which can be found in almost every garment fabric, i.e. in shirts, clothing, upholstery, curtains, etc. The allergen can also be polyethylene, from which are produced popular containers for food and beverages; as well as polyvinyls used for making leather-like materials, bathroom curtains, electric cable covers, etc. as well as polyurethanes - popular mattress fillers on which we sleep.
Epoxy resins
Epoxy resins are a source of occupational danger, for those who use them in their work. Allergic contact eczema then usually covers the face. The sources of allergy are the resins themselves, as well as the volatile substances emitted from the hardeners. Currently, the range of sensitization to this allergen is decreasing, because workers, as a result of automation and encapsulation of production, have less and less direct contact with epoxy resins. Unfortunately, it is still possible to sensitize consumers, because it is stated that these resins are added to other plastics (eg PVC) and can become part of plastic frames for glasses, plastic gloves, laminates, etc.
Rubber and rubber products
Contact allergy to gum is often encountered, because it sensitizes not one but several of its components: vulcanization accelerators, antioxidants, latex, and the number of rubber products is constantly growing. Vulcanization accelerators and antioxidants cause only contact dermatitis, they do not cause other types of allergies. These contact allergens most often sensitize workers in manufacturing and service plants producing rubber products. A specific health problem in recent years has become allergy to latex.
Allergic to latex
This contact allergen - a rubber component - is a natural substance obtained from Hevea brasiliensis trees. It contains, along with other ingredients, a vegetable protein that is highly sensitized. The prophylaxis against AIDS has contributed to the rapid growth of latex allergies. Its principle is the use of condoms and rubber gloves by medical personnel (including dental).Allergy to latex has a variety of symptoms, one of the most common is contact dermatitis, conjunctivitis and even asthma. Some, a small part of latex allergies also suffer from allergic contact eczema.
Where are the skin lesions caused by rubber products localized?
The location of lesions on the skin of the entire feet and lower leg, with a clear border below the knee - in people using high rubber shoes at work - suggests sensitization to rubber boots. In the workers of vulcanization plants, contact allergic eczema is most often related to the hands and face.
Turpentine
Terpentyna - a popular solvent for paints, a component of floor pastes, ointments, etc. - was once a serious source of allergies. The main location of skin changes under the influence of turpentine are hands and feet. The skin test for this contact allergen was standard in the 1970s. In recent decades, the frequency of this sensitization has generally decreased due to the proliferation of cheaper organic solvents. This also applies to Poland, and recent data on allergies in Poland for this allergen show a huge drop.
Acrylic compounds
Plastic materials sensitize acrylic compounds (eg methyl methacrylate). Sensitization is particularly frequent among those employed in the production of these products, as well as in people who use acrylic adhesives or acrylic paints (painters) at work. The user is rarely sensitized because after the so-called the polymerization of acrylic compounds ceases to be chemically toxic.
Ed. Edward Ozga - Michalski
Consultation dr hab. Andrzej Danysz
