title: Sensitization patterns in Compositae-allergic patients with current or past atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An association between Compositae sensitization and atopic dermatitis has been suggested on the basis of case reports and clinical studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the characteristics of sensitization in Compositae-allergic patients with current and/or past atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive Compositae-sensitive patients were selected for analysis if they had a history of (i) present and/or past atopic dermatitis or (ii) childhood flexural eczema or (iii) childhood eczema of any kind and a positive prick test result.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one persons (35 females and 16 males) were included. The mean age was lower and the percentage of males was slightly higher than in non-atopics. Testing with sesquiterpene lactone mix, parthenolide and Compositae mix 6% or 5% detected 96% of the patients. Occupational sensitization occurred in 22%. The sensitizing pattern did not differ much from that of non-atopics, except that dandelion was an important allergen in children. Cobalt allergy was the most frequent other contact allergy, occurring in 37%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persons with current or past atopic dermatitis may become sensitized to Compositae at any age, both occupationally and non-occupationally. They should be screened for Compositae allergy on equal terms with non-atopics, except that dandelion extract should always be tested in children. Co-sensitization to cobalt was frequent, but probably not related to the plant allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense DK-5000, Denmark. evy.paulsen@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
authors.forename: Evy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Klaus E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007783:Lactones; D010936:Plant Extracts