The latest trends in the use and composition of dental prostheses have been reviewed, and 66 patients referred by dermatologists and odontologists patch tested. The allergen series used were: TRUE Test standard series; Chemotechnique dental screening series; specially prepared metals series. The allergens found to be positive, in order of frequency, were: nickel, cobalt, potassium dichromate, rhodium, palladium, mercury, beryllium, methyl methacrylate, copper and zinc.

230 patients with occupational dermatitis in the metallurgic industry were studied with standard patch test (GEIDC) and an oil series. An occupational and clinical questionnaire survey was carried out. Responses to paraphenylenediamine, chrome, cobalt in the standard series, and benzisothiazolone, triethanolamine, and Grotan BK were the main positive results.

272 children up to the age of 14 years were patch tested during a 10-year period (1982-1991). 101 children (37.1%) gave positive reactions to 1 or more allergens. Of these, 54.4% (57/101), were considered relevant. The main allergens were, in order of frequency: nickel, rubber compounds, mercuric chloride, cobalt salts, thimerosal, benzoyl peroxide and fragrance mix.

We report the results of patch tests carried out over the last 6 years (1992 1997) on 141 children. This corresponds to 2.8% of the total patients who were patch tested in our Allergy Department (5,014). These 141 children were patch tested using the TRUE Test standard series and an additional allergen, metallic mercury. Allergens from the Chemotechnique medicaments, cosmetics, plants and shoe series were added in some. The most frequent localization of eczema was to the feet, face and hands and the most frequent suspected causes were costume jewelry, footwear, topical medicaments and cosmetics. The most frequent allergens, assessed by degree of relevance, were first, nickel, followed by cobalt, mercurials (thimerosal and metallic mercury), fragrance and rubber chemicals (naphthyl mix, mercapto mix, carba mix and PPD mix). 13 children, 18% of the total, between the ages of 12 and 14 years, showed positivities relevant to some occupation, i.e., metalworking, building, hairdressing, catering, etc. Once patch tests had been carried out and relevant positive patch tests assessed, the most frequent diagnoses were contact dermatitis 45%, atopic dermatitis 25%, juvenile plantar dermatitis 15%, and other diagnoses in the remaining 15%.

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