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The loss of contact sensitization in man
Author(s) -
Valsecchi R.,
Rossi A,
Bigardi A.,
Pigatto P. D.
Publication year - 1991
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.1600-0536.1991.tb01695.x
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , medicine , sensitization , dermatology , contact dermatitis , allergen , contact allergy , immunology , allergy , allergic contact dermatitis
Little is yet known about the duration of contact sensitivity, but frequent exposure of a target lo allergen seems to reduce skin reactivity The aim of this study was to study the persistence of a specific contact sensitivity in 66 patients with alopecia areata, previously sensitized in DNCB (31 patients) and SADBF, (35 patients) between 1978–1985. Patch tests were performed with 0.020 ml of different concentrations of DNCB or SADBE in acetone (0.05%, 0.10%. 0.20% 1%). The results were read in a standardized manner. Of 66 patients, 47 (71%) had positive reactions and 19 (29%) negative. 8 of the 19 negative patients had been treated with DNCB, 11 with SADBE, Approximately 1/3 of the patients previously sensitized had lost their original sensitivity, und this did not seem to be time‐dependent. This phenomenon seemed to be clinically correlated because the majority of the patients were from the “low responders” group. We think that acquired unresponsiveness to topical antigen in man to a possible phenomenon, but that it occurs more rarely than in mice and guinea pigs.