In a population of 1883 patients tested for allergic contact dermatitis (1985-1988), a prevalence of 5.4% (103 cases) was seen for wood tars (ICDRG allergen, 12% pet.) sensitization. In this group (n = 103), retrospectively, a combined allergy was seen to wood tars and fragrance mix in 43% and to wood tars and balsam of Peru in 31%. A combined allergy to wood tars and coal tar was seen in 19 patients (18.5%): 14 to liquor carbonis detergens (LCD), 8 to lianthral and 3 to both LCD and lianthral. Within the group with wood tars allergy (n = 103), a minority (n = 37) had a history of atopic dermatitis. Comparison of the test results in atopic and non-atopic subgroups (within the group of 103) revealed a higher incidence of combined wood tars-fragrance mix allergy in the atopic group (n = 37). In this group, a lower incidence of combined wood tars-coal tar sensitization was seen in comparison with the non-atopic group (n = 66). The authors believe that combined "wood tars-coal tar" allergy could be the consequence of cross-sensitization rather than due to long-term previous topical treatment with tar derivatives. The high % of cross-allergy between wood tars and fragrance mix emphasizes the role of wood tars as an important indicator allergen in perfume allergy.
Sensitization by para-tertiary-butylphenolformaldehyde resin (PTBP-FR), which is particularly useful as a leather glue, has been known for 30 years. We retrospectively studied the clinical aspects of those patients with a PTBP-FR allergy among 1966 patients in whom contact dermatitis was confirmed by patch testing. A positive patch test to PTBP-FR was present in 30 patients (1.5%), 24 of whom were women. Exposure to PTBP-FR as a cause of the dermatitis was "certain" in 7, "very likely" in 6 and "unclear" in 17. 67.7% of the patients had a multiple allergy. In 43.3% of the patients, a history of atopy was found. No clear association of PTBP-FR sensitization with allergies to phenolformaldehyde resin (P-FR) or free para-tertiary-butylphenol (PTBP) emerged in this group of 30 patients. This study supports the hypothesis that PTBP-FR and P-FR do not contain the same sensitizers. Follow-up of 26 of the 30 patients showed a favourable course, dependent on identification of the source of exposure, avoidance of further contact and absence of sensitization to multiple allergens.
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