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.

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%.

Owing, on the one hand, to the constant increase in the o/os of nickel sensitization in the majority of allergy departments of dermatology and, on the other, to the fact that sensitization to nickel is almost always through contact with jewellery and imitation jewellery, an update was carried out on the metal alloys principally used in the manufacture of such jewellery (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, watch straps, etc.) The conclusions of this review demonstrate that nickel is irreplaceable in the majority of the alloys, because of its excellent technical properties and low price and, as a result, the % of sensitizations to this allergen will not only maintain their present high level but will probably increase in the future.Key words: jewellery; imitation jewellery; nickel; metal alloys; industry; patents; allergic contact dermatitis. Accepted for publication 6 December 1990Nickel sensitization maintains a high profile in all allergy and contact dermatitis departments. Without doubt it is the number-one allergy, mainly affecting women. Currently, in our allergy department, the % of sensitization to nickel is 22%. Of this 22%, 20.5% is relevant and 12.5% (all women) is relevant to jewellery and imitation jewellery (earrings, rings, necklaces, watch fasteners, bracelets, etc.)The aim of this enquiry was to establish the current trends in the manufacture of jewellery and imitation jewellery, and the content of nickel and other metals in typical alloys used in this field.In the last 15 years, due to the increasingly high prices of precious metals, there has been an unceasing search for substitutes with the same physicochemical properties and beauty. This has spawned a series of investigations into ways in which precious metals can be used in smaller quantities and still preserve their characteristics of beauty and unalterability in use; and into new alloys which lower the costs of raw materials and manufacture, but retain a quality end-product suitable for its destined use. Review of Current PracticesWomen have tired of the 'same old look' of gold and silver jewellery and are demanding new products with a different style and appearance to complement fashion clothing, a fact that has led to the investigation of ways of using precious metals economically and of substituting low-cost alloys (1-11). Saving on precious metalsTo save on gold plating, thin layers of down to 0.3 11-m have been achieved which, with modem techniques, can uniformly be applied using an underlayer of brilliant nickel of differing thick-

A case of flutamide photosensitivity is reported in a patient receiving treatment for prostate cancer. Photopatch testing with flutamide at 10 and 20% in acetone was positive and controls negative. Other reports in the literature indicate that flutamide photosensitivity can be produced either by UV-A or UV-B, but the small number of reports and the differences in the tests performed do not allow the specific characteristics of flutamide photosensitivity to be established. Presently it would be advisable, due to the frequent use of this drug, to include flutamide in the investigation of photosensitive patients.