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Establishment of safe exposure limits for the elicitation of contact allergy
Author(s) -
Basketter David A,
Fletcher S,
Gilmour N,
Duangdeeden I,
Kullavanijaya P,
McFadden J
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.0309o.x
Subject(s) - medicine , allergic contact dermatitis , contact allergy , patch test , sensitization , contact dermatitis , dermatology , allergy , cosmetics , occupational exposure , environmental health , immunology , pathology
Although the primary point of intervention for the prevention of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) should be appropriate assessment and management of potential skin sensitization hazards, there is nevertheless a place for secondary prevention in individuals who are already sensitized. Thus it is necessary to ensure a full appreciation of the variables impacting the elicitation of ACD exist. To this end, we have been engaged in a series of investigations of the elicitation of p‐phenylenediamine (PPD) sensitization. In particular, we have studied the impact of duration and frequency of exposure on elicitation. Using groups of PPD sensitized volunteers, in patch tests and repeated open application tests, we have shown that exposures of only a few minutes are often without consequence in such individuals, except where the exposure is often repeated and/or the individual is highly allergic. With volunteers who were 1+ or 2+ positive to the diagnostic patch test, and where exposure to PPD was at 0.5%–1.0% in a short contact rinse‐off hair colouring product, no scalp reactions were experienced. It is our view that the establishment of safe exposure limits to contact allergens should be based wherever possible on a detailed assessment of the risk to sensitized humans.