title: Wood tars allergy, cross-sensitization and coal tar.
abstract: In a population of 1883 patients tested for allergic contact dermatitis (1985-1988), a prevalence of 5.4% (103 cases) was seen for wood tars (ICDRG allergen, 12% pet.) sensitization. In this group (n = 103), retrospectively, a combined allergy was seen to wood tars and fragrance mix in 43% and to wood tars and balsam of Peru in 31%. A combined allergy to wood tars and coal tar was seen in 19 patients (18.5%): 14 to liquor carbonis detergens (LCD), 8 to lianthral and 3 to both LCD and lianthral. Within the group with wood tars allergy (n = 103), a minority (n = 37) had a history of atopic dermatitis. Comparison of the test results in atopic and non-atopic subgroups (within the group of 103) revealed a higher incidence of combined wood tars-fragrance mix allergy in the atopic group (n = 37). In this group, a lower incidence of combined wood tars-coal tar sensitization was seen in comparison with the non-atopic group (n = 66). The authors believe that combined "wood tars-coal tar" allergy could be the consequence of cross-sensitization rather than due to long-term previous topical treatment with tar derivatives. The high % of cross-allergy between wood tars and fragrance mix emphasizes the role of wood tars as an important indicator allergen in perfume allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Roesyanto
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: van den Akker
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: van Joost
mesh_terms: D003033:Coal Tar / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D010476:Perfume; D003033:Coal Tar