Atopy and contact allergy to fragrance: allergic reactions to the fragrance mix I (the Larsen mix).
BACKGROUND
The relationship between an atopic diathesis and contact sensitization to fragrances is unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether there is an association between atopy and allergy to fragrance mix I (FM I).


METHODS
The computerized files of patients patch tested to FM I at St John's Institute of Dermatology (1980-2004) were reviewed. Demographic details recorded for all patch-tested patients included age, sex, date of testing, history of current or previous atopic eczema (AE), history of current or previous asthma nor hay fever (A/HF), family history (FH) of any type of atopy, and any positive patch tests.


RESULTS
About 8.4% of females (1713/20 338) and 6.6% of males (903/13 734) were allergic to FM I. About 8.95% (101/1129) of females with AE were allergic to FM I versus 8.63% (619/7171) of females who had neither AE and A/HF nor FH (non-atopics) (P = 0.72). About 5.6% (40/710) of males with AE were positive to FM I versus 6.9% (427/6201) of male non-atopics (P = 0.23). There was a striking increase in AE and A/HF during this 25-year period (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no association between atopy and allergy to FM I. There has been a marked increase in atopy in individuals referred for patch testing in the past 25 years.
St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK. dbuckley@doctors.org.uk
Deirdre A
DA
Buckley
David A
DA
Basketter
Denis
D
Kan-King-Yu
Ian R
IR
White
Jonathan L M
JL
White
John P
JP
McFadden
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010476:Perfume / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens; D010476:Perfume