Low Prevalence of Fragrance Contact Allergy Among Turkish Population: A 24-Year, Cross-Sectional, Tertiary Single-Center, Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Limited data exist on fragrance contact allergy among Turkish population. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of fragrance contact allergy in Turkey. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2566 patients consecutively patch tested with the European baseline series and additionally with a fragrance series (n = 358) at a tertiary referral center between 1996 and 2019.Results: One hundred sixty-three patients (6.4%) (male/female, 1.5:1) were sensitized with at least 1 fragrance allergen. Fragrance mix (FM) I was most frequently positive (3.9%), followed by Myroxylon pereirae (3.1%), FM II (2%), and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (0.5%), the latter exclusively positive in FM II-positive patients. Among 358 patients patch tested with a fragrance series, positive patch test reactions were observed in 38 patients, including 8 who did not react to baseline fragrance markers. Clinically relevant fragrance allergy was established in 128 patients (78.5%) from nonoccupational (72.4%) and occupational (6.1%) sources.Conclusions: The low prevalence, the middle-aged male preponderance, and the predominant involvement of hands were unusual findings. Rose/citrus-flavored perfumes and eau de cologne, which are traditionally preferred in our country, were important elicitors of fragrance contact allergy, especially among middle-aged and older men.

Analysis of patch testing results in patients with contact dermatitis in Istanbul, Turkey, from 2012 to 2022

“…We found the rate of fragrance mix sensitivity to be 3.4%, and it was significantly higher in men and individuals over 40 years of age. In other studies conducted in Turkey, sensitivity rates have been reported to range from 2.1% to 6.4% 4–8,24 . Similar to our study, in the literature, it is stated that fragrance mix sensitivity increases with age 23–26 .…”

“…In other studies conducted in Turkey, sensitivity rates have been reported to range from 2.1% to 6.4%. [4][5][6][7][8]24 Similar to our study, in the literature, it is stated that fragrance mix sensitivity increases with age. [23][24][25][26] This increase is considered to be due to the decrease in the protection of the skin-barrier and the increase in the use of topical moisturizers and cosmetics with advancing age.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8]24 Similar to our study, in the literature, it is stated that fragrance mix sensitivity increases with age. [23][24][25][26] This increase is considered to be due to the decrease in the protection of the skin-barrier and the increase in the use of topical moisturizers and cosmetics with advancing age. Similarly, in our study, we found that sensitivities to formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea, and budesonide, which are frequently used in cosmetics, were at significantly higher rates in the group aged over 40 years, which may be related to the same reason.…”

Contact sensitization to fragrance markers and surfactants/emulsifiers/ emollients among cosmetologists and cosmetology students – a pilot study

“…The prevalence of contact sensitization was 1.62% -1.98%, demonstrating a significant reduction in HICC allergy in European dermatitis patients prior to the then impending European ban (23). In a retrospective study of patch tested patients between 1996 and 2019, conducted in Turkey, the prevalence of sensitization to HICC was found to be 0.5%, and occupational exposure was assumed as the main cause of sensitization in 6.1% of the clinically significant cases (24). The results obtained in our study confirm the role of occupational exposure for contact sensitization to HICC.…”