Nickel sensitivity and atopy
Early insight into the contributory role genetic factors play in the development of contact dermatitis…
Synopsis of Nickel Sensitivity and Atopy (1964)
Original article:
A. Caron. (1964). Nickel Sensitivity and Atopy. British Journal of Dermatology, vol. 76: p. 384 – 387.
Reviewed by Brittanya Limone, BS, MA. MSIII, Loma Linda University.
- “Atopy” is a genetic predisposition toward developing one or more of the following conditions: asthma, hay fever, urticaria, infantile eczema, or atopic dermatitis.
- Determining the incidence of atopy has proven difficult because of reliance on clinical judgment and variable utilization of set parameters in making the diagnosis. For instance, the presentation of nasal congestion and recurrent sneezing episodes may be diagnosed as either hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or vasomotor rhinitis.
- Several authors c.1964 estimated the prevalence of atopy in the United States’ general population being between 10-20%.
- In the Caron case series, 37 patients with an established diagnosis of nickel contact dermatitis underwent further evaluation regarding their personal and family history of atopy, the results included the following:
- Twenty-one (54%) had no history of atopy
- Seven (19%) only had a family history.
- Four (11%) had both a personal and family history
- Five (14%) only had a personal history
- The results from Caron’s case series suggested that the incidence of atopy amongst patients with nickel allergic contact sensitivity was no greater than its occurrence in the general population.
- The frequency of atopy in 19% of family members was noted to be higher than expected for the general population but was attributed to the contributory role genetic factors play in the development of contact dermatitis.
- This study concluded that nickel sensitivity occurs independently of atopy.
