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Contact sensitivity to menthol and peppermint in patients with intra‐oral symptoms
Author(s) -
Morton C. A.,
Garioch J.,
Todd P.,
Lamey P. J.,
Forsyth A.
Publication year - 1995
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.1600-0536.1995.tb00781.x
Subject(s) - menthol , medicine , burning mouth syndrome , dermatology , contact dermatitis , burning sensation , dentistry , patch test , anesthesia , allergy , chemistry , organic chemistry , immunology
We report 12 cases of contact sensitivity to the flavouring agents menthol and peppermint oil in patients presenting with intra‐oral symptoms in association with burning mouth syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration or a lichenoid reaction. The patients were referred from the Glasgow Dental Hospital over a 4‐year period for assessment of the possible contribution of contact sensitivity to their complaints. 5 patients with burning mouth syndrome demonstrated contact sensitivity to menthol and/or peppermint, with 1 patient sensitive to both agents, 3 positive to menthol only and 1 to peppermint only. 4 cases with recurrent intra‐oral ulceration were sensitive to both menthol and peppermint. 3 patients with an oral lichenoid reaction were positive to menthol on patch testing, with 2 also sensitive to peppermint. 9 of the 12 cases demonstrated additional positive patch test results. After a mean follow‐up of 32.7 months (range 9–48 months), of the 9 patients that could be contacted, 6 patients described clearance or improvement of their symptoms as a consequence of avoidance of menthol/peppermint.