title: Level of use and safety of botanical products for itching vulvar dermatoses. Are patch tests useful?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical remedies based on botanical ingredients are popular.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess: (i) the usage of botanical substances in subjects affected with itching and chronic vulvar complaints; (ii) the incidence of side-effects associated with their use and the frequency of contact allergy; (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six patients were provided with a questionnaire to assess the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Patients were patch tested with (i) the Italian baseline series, (ii) a topical medicament series, and (iii) a botanical series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two patients (63.6%) reported the use of natural topical products on the vulva. Seven (16.7%) noted adverse reactions; 27 showed positive reactions with the baseline series; 14 (21.2%) had at least one relevant reaction, mainly to allergens in topical products and cosmetics; and 2 (3%) showed positive reactions to the botanical series. Of the 7 patients complaining of adverse effects of botanical products, 3 (42.8%) showed relevant sensitization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of natural topical products is widespread among women affected with itching vulvar diseases. Contact dermatitis is a possible adverse effect. Botanical series are of questionable usefulness, owing to the wide variety of botanical ingredients.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corazza
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Annarosa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Virgili
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minghetti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiengo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche - Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, University of Ferrara, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D010328:Patch Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011539:Pruritus Vulvae / Q000209:etiology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000209:etiology; D014847:Vulvitis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: botanical products; contact dermatitis; patch test; vulvar diseases