title: Contact dermatitis in saffron workers: clinical profile and identification of contact sensitizers in a saffron-cultivating area of Kashmir Valley of North India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saffron, a bulbous perennial plant belonging to Iridaceae family, is the most expensive cultivated herb that is widely used for industrial and nonindustrial purposes. However, besides its attractive and valuable properties, contact dermatitis due to saffron is an uncommon reported entity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the clinical pattern patch-testing profile of contact dermatitis in saffron workers and to identify the most common allergens/sensitizers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ten saffron workers were patch-tested with 39 allergens, which included Indian standard series antigens, plant series antigens, and extracts from different parts of saffron flower.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The allergens in Indian standard series accounted for 52.44% of positive reactions. Plant series and different parts of saffron accounted for 47.56% of the positive reactions. Among those patients with positive responses to the supplemental saffron allergens, 83.3% were of present or past relevance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data observed in the present study confirm that the saffron dermatitis is a distinct clinical entity with characteristic clinical presentation and has a strong significance as an occupational allergen in those handling this plant. Patch testing with different parts of saffron flower has a role to play in finding out the etiological cause.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College Srinagar, University of Kashmir; †Department of Extension Education, ‡Saffron Research Unit, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir; and §Department of ENT, Government Medical College Srinagar, University of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Iffat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Afifa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamili
authors.forename: Farhan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rasool
authors.forename: Firdous
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nehvi
authors.forename: Parvaiz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rather
authors.forename: Salwee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasmin
authors.forename: Rafiq A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pampori
authors.forename: Yasmeen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jabeen
authors.forename: Atiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaseen
authors.forename: Safia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D027622:Crocus / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens