Collection of Blogs related to information about contact dermatitis
Fibroblasts and oral-induced tolerance against nickel…
‘Differences in human gingival and dermal fibroblasts may contribute to oral-induced tolerance against nickel’…
present results unveil new aspects of oral-induced tolerance and provide additional information for current knowledge, which indicates that oral Ni2 challenge before piercings may prevent Ni hypersensitivity…
Read more here:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27264456
Nickel Workshop
On June 23, 2016, a historic event occurred – the first US Nickel Workshop. Thought leaders from medicine, industry and regulation came together to discuss the issue of nickel dermatitis, appropriate uses of nickel, and the integral role of nickel in society at the first North American Workshop on Nickel Dermatitis. This workshop was sponsored and coordinated by the Nickel Institute, who brought toxicologists and dermatologists together with conscientious companies representing various consumer product sectors. The group stressed the importance of nickel release, not nickel content in determining risk of becoming allergic to nickel and having a nickel dermatitis reaction if you are already allergic to nickel.
Removing nickel from our environment is not possible, because it is one of the most abundant metals on our planet and it has many beneficial uses where it cannot be reasonably substituted (e.g. stainless steel) . What is possible, though, is to use it in the safest ways possible. For example, nickel is safely used in several types of stainless steels. Nickel is also used as nickel-plated carbon fibers in the composite case of personal cell phones to keep our brains safe from the electromagnetic energy generated from by cell phone use. A top priority was discussed at the nickel workshop of removing high nickel-release materials from use in piercing posts (used in jewelry) by using appropriate low nickel-releasing materials (e.g. surgical stainless steel, high quality gold, etc.) since piercing directly introduces releasednickel to an open wound. This is especially important for children who, if sensitized, have a lifetime to deal with the consequences.
The Nickel Institute will be putting together a full report from the Nickel Workshop, which will be made available online on the Nickel Institute website at https://www.nickelinstitute.org Dr. Jennifer Chen, MD, a dermatologist from Stanford University, presented the background of nickel allergy in the US at the Nickel Workshop in addition to developing an outreach education webinar on this topic available to the public https://www.dermatitisacademy.com/webinars/ The webinar discusses that EU regulations have decreased nickel allergy in ear pierced young women from 16.6% down to 6.9%. The estimated savings of $2 billion over the last 20 years is massive and that could translate into an even bigger savings with the US population.
At the Nickel Workshop, Dr. Sharon Jacob, MD, a dermatologist from Loma Linda presented the situation of nickel dermatitis in children in North America, noting that nickel allergy is found at an early age and is thought to be largely due to ear piercing in young girls. She reported that an estimated 11% of the US general population is currently sensitized to nickel, which includes an estimated 8,133,603 children! She also stated that a significant proportion of these could be prevented by utilizing safer metals in piercing. Dr. Jacob ended her presentation at the Nickel Workshop with a slide that said:
‘You can’t tell an adult they can’t pierce and smoke… but you can protect a child.’
To learn more about nickel allergy and sensitization, please visit the Dermatitis Academy page dedicated to nickel https://www.dermatitisacademy.com/nickel-page/ which includes information on the low nickel diet, how to DMG test metal objects to screen for nickel release, a quiz on sources of nickel and a general population questionnaire on nickel sensitization. https://emg.wufoo.com/forms/nickel-allergic-contact-dermatitis-survey/
Low Nickel Diet article
Low Nickel Diet: A Patient-Centered Review
‘ A meta review by Jensen specifically assessed elicitation of SCD due to nickel ingestion, and found that 1% of those sensitized to nickel react to the nickel content of a “normal” diet, defined as 0.22 mg, 0.35 mg, or 0.53 mg [12]. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was revealed showing 10% of nickel sensitized patients responding to exposures between 0.55 mg and 0.89 mg. Such low exposures can be easily attained by consuming foods high in nickel content. …many patients sensitized to nickel are unaware that dietary exposure may play a role in their morbidity.’ A low nickel diet may help them get their rashes better.
To read more about the Low Nickel Diet: A Patient-Centered Review click here:
A day in the life of a patch tester – Steroid allergy – SURPRISE!
Steroid allergy: I saw a patient with ‘recalcitrant eczema’ that was doing fairly well, flares here and there. Being told there’s nothing on my back – should mean exactly that – but when I checked – there was a 2+ positive reaction.
I can not stress enough how nice it is to have either a photo or a map of patch placement to be able to go back and figure out what chemical is causing that reaction…
So we aligned a ‘decoder’ grid – and lo and behold were able to identify the placement of budesonide, a class B steroid (steroid allergy). Asked about the current treatment regimen and low and behold the patient is using a class B steroid daily – well, we won’t be doing that anymore…
There are three corticosteroids on the Food and Drug Administration approved (for adults) patch test – they are a recognized allergens…https://www.dermatitisacademy.com/corticosteroids/
So, what is the surprise in this?
Well, the patient was patch tested by another provider 82 days earlier – the steroid had not shown up as a positive during the patch procedure week.
Is this commonly reported? No. could it have been potentially missed? Yes.
Conclusion – always watch for late delayed reactions and “flare up” responses… especially in steroid allergy, as steroids have anti-inflammatory properties.
Silent pandemic
Learn about one of the most important environmental campaigns in history…. the environmental working group studied cord blood samples and provide evidence that we are in the midst of a silent pandemic.
“Aught to do all we can to minimize exposures”… “industrial pollution begins in the womb”…”women use an average of about 12 personal care products a day and that exposes them to more than 160 chemical ingredients, some of them rather toxic, day after day after day”.
“62,000 chemical were ‘grandfathered in'”
“…found 287 chemicals in just those 10 Americans — 28 different waste byproducts — 47 different consumer product ingredients — most disturbing of all – 212 industrial chemicals and pesticide break down products that had been banned 30 years before… ” in UMBILICAL CHORD BLOOD! Speaking to the silent pandemic.
“babies are born pre-polluted with as many as 300 industrial chemicals in their bodies.” The math shows … “We have more health effects than we have chemicals, why is that? … many of these chemicals have multiple toxic effects.” And, “Only 5 chemicals have been banned or restricted by EPA under the law“! Moreover, “80% of all new chemicals approved within 3 weeks”
There is an “84% increase in acute lymphocytic leukemia“…
The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act (KSCA) of 2008 – “Requires that chemical be safe for CHILDREN and others who are sensitive”. “Assumes chemicals are harming people until PROVEN OTHERWISE“. “Prioritizes SAFETY REVIEWS, BANS, and PHASE-OUTS based on what’s in people and hazardous”. Addressing the silent pandemic.
…historic moment … AN UNPRECEDENTED COALITION!!!
Learn more:
Methylisothiazolinone scrutiny
Methylisothiazolinone scrutiny is very much needed. This preservative is sensitizing a significant number of adults and children worldwide. It is found in personal products, household cleaners, household paint, and air fresheners. Reactions to it may look like atopic dermatitis!
“Recalcitrant dermatitis, such as that of the hands, face, or genitals, may be due to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from ingredients in seemingly innocuous personal care products. Rising rates of allergy have been noted due to the preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI). This preservative is commonly found in skin and hair care products, especially wipes. This study evaluated the use of MI in products specifically marketed for babies and children and examined the associated marketing terms of such products. Ingredients of skin care products specifically marketed for babies and children were surveyed at two major retailers. Of 152 products surveyed, 30 products contained MI. Categories of products surveyed included facial or body wipes, antibacterial hand wipes, hair products, soaps, bubble baths, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Facial or body wipes and hair products were the categories with the greatest number of MI-containing products. MI-containing products were manufactured by a number of popular brands. Of note, products marketed as “gentle,” “sensitive,” “organic,” or “hypoallergenic” often contained MI, thus emphasizing the importance of consumer scrutiny of product choices. These findings reinforce the importance of educating parents and providing consumer decision-making advice regarding common skin care products, in order to help prevent ACD in children.” Learn more by clicking here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4197884/.
It is time for methylisothiazolinone scrutiny – there is an epidemic! The Dermatitis Academy [www.dermatitisacademy.com] is tracking this epidemic and reporting new cases of methylisothiazolinone and new sources!!! It is important that consumers continue to let the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] know that they are known to be allergic to methylisothiazolinone and which product they have reacted to. Click here for information on FDA reporting: https://www.dermatitisacademy.com/methylisothiazolinone-page/
This is a duplicate posting with a different featured image.
