Contact sensitization by pesticides in farmers.
30 farmers with contact dermatitis and 20 controls were patch tested with a series of locally used pesticides. Allergic reactions to 1 or more pesticides were seen in 11 patients but none of the controls. Carbamates (maneb, carbofuran, carbaryl) were the most frequent sensitizers (7 patients), followed by organophosphorus compounds like: malathion and oxydemton methyl (4 patients); 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and fenvalerate (3 patients each); streptocycline (2 patients). Irritant reactions to captaf were seen in 4 patients, thiobencarb weedicide in 3, and organophosphorus compounds in 3. Pesticides should be patch tested in all farmers with contact dermatitis.
Department of Dermatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
V K
VK
Sharma
S
S
Kaur
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002219:Carbamates; D007509:Irritants; D010575:Pesticides