Sensitizations to allergens of the European standard series at the Department of Dermatology in Zurich 1990-1994.
BACKGROUND
For planning and evaluation of preventive activities against contact dermatitis, it is important to detect trends in contact sensitization.


OBJECTIVE
We performed a computer-aided analysis of the patch test results of 5,565 patients tested with the European standard allergens consecutively from 1990 to 1994 in our patch test clinic.


RESULTS
The male/female ratio was 42.4/ 57.6%. Sixty-one percent of the patients were < 45 years. Hands, face and lower legs were the major localizations of eczema. The largest occupational groups were office workers (21%), houseworkers and cleaning personnel (18%) and pensioners (10%). The highest sensitization rates were found for nickel (18.5%) and fragrance mix (9.6%). An increase of sensitizations to fragrance mix and balsam of Peru in both sexes and a decrease in nickel and cobalt sensitizations for females and potassium dichromate reactions for males were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show considerable changes in the frequency of contact sensitizations that warrant further analytic studies.
Bangha
E
E
Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Elsner
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003880:Dermatology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000592:standards*; D013557:Switzerland
D000485:Allergens