title: Cutaneous contact urticaria to pyrethrum-real?, common?, or not documented?: an evidence-based approach.
abstract: Reports suggest that pyrethrum, the insecticidally active extract from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, can induce Type I hypersensitivity reactions in humans. Using knowledge of pyrethrum chemistry and an evidence-based analysis of literature, whether current refined pyrethrum induces and/or elicits skin manifestations of contact urticaria was assessed. Current extraction and refinement techniques suggest that refined pyrethrum lacks the presence of significant, if any, proteins speculated to induce Type I hypersensitivity. Our interpretation suggests that no reports of Type I reactions presented in the literature fulfill the criteria for immunologic contact urticaria. Future patient testing with current commercial material should clarify its Type I immunologic potential, if any.
authors.affiliation: Science Strategies, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA.
authors.forename: Jill A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Franzosa
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Osimitz
authors.forename: Howard I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D011723:Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium / Q000737:chemistry*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011722:Pyrethrins