Contact urticaria: Frequency, elicitors and cofactors in three cohorts (Information Network of Departments of Dermatology; Network of Anaphylaxis; and Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Contact urticaria (CU) is an infrequent, mostly occupational disease that may be life-threatening (CU syndrome stage 4).Objectives: To identify the current frequency, elicitors and cofactors of CU. Patients: Three cohorts were retrospectively analysed for CU: (a) patients from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) database (2000-2014; n = 159 947); (b) patients from an allergy unit (Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, 2000-2015; n = 4741); and (c) patients from the Anaphylaxis Registry (2007-2015: 6365 reported cases, including 2473 patients with Ring and Messmer grade III-IV reactions) for severe cases with skin/mucosal manifestations occurring at the workplace vs cases not occurring at the workplace (n = 68 vs n = 1821).Results: Four hundred and forty-eight CU patients (0.28%) were diagnosed in the IVDK cohort, and 16 (0.34%) (10 of immunological aetiology, and 6 of nonimmunological aetiology) in the Erlangen cohort. The most frequent elicitors in the IVDK cohort were cosmetics, creams, sun protection agents (although these were less frequent in CU patients than in controls without CU; 26.8% vs 35.6%, P < .0001), and gloves (significantly more frequent in CU patients than in controls; 18.1% vs 6.5%, P < .0001). The most frequent elicitors in the Erlangen cohort were natural rubber

Prevalence of hand contact urticaria and related risk factors among healthcare workers during the COVID ‐19 pandemic: A self‐reported assessment

“…In a recent study by Süß et al, contact urticaria was present in less than 0.4% of examined patients. 5 In our study, the higher prevalence of contact urticaria might be due to the excessive use of PPE, particularly gloves, in this pandemic and the impossibility of disease confirmation by dermatologists. Süß et al reported that some risk factors such as natural rubber latex associated with contact urticaria which are consistent with our findings.…”

“…Süß et al reported that some risk factors such as natural rubber latex associated with contact urticaria which are consistent with our findings. 5 The main limitation of this study, given its self-reported nature, was that contact urticaria perceived by patients could not be examined by dermatologists.…”

Occupational airborne contact urticaria, anaphylaxis and asthma in farmers and agronomists due to Bruchus pisorum

“…Contact urticaria is a rare occupational skin manifestation with a frequency < 0.4% 25 but can progress to anaphylaxis. 25 Airborne contact urticaria may precede asthma (and sometimes anaphylaxis). For this reason, knowledge of legumes that might be infested with insects causing immediate allergy is potentially important.…”

“…Hence, prior exposure to an allergen is required for this type of contact urticaria to occur. Contact urticaria is a rare occupational skin manifestation with a frequency < 0.4% 25 but can progress to anaphylaxis 25 . Airborne contact urticaria may precede asthma (and sometimes anaphylaxis).…”

Chronic inducible urticaria: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management

“…[4,41] Immunogenic type is an allergic type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction seen after the previous sensitization. [41,42] The lesions can spread to become generalized urticaria. Subsequently, systemic symptoms and anaphylactic shock can also occur.…”