title: UV sunlight and patch test reactions in humans.
abstract: No seasonal influence of UV sunlight on patch test reactions in humans over a period of 9 years of clinical practice was found in this retrospective study of almost 8000 patients. Although the mean UV monthly dose varies seasonally, up in the summer and down in the winter, no significant differences could be identified for patch test reactions, either for the mean number of positive test reactions or for the intensity of the skin reaction or for the id-like spread reactions seen in summer or winter. Furthermore, no short-term influences of UV exposure during the weekend preceding patch testing could be demonstrated. Therefore, reliable patch-test results can be expected at any season of the year from a general population, at least in Belgian-type climates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, University Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dooms-Goossens
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lesaffre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heidbuchel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dooms
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Degreef
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D006801:Humans; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012882:Skin Tests; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel