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Christmas tree dermatitis caused by colophonium allergy
Contact Dermatitis
... However, authors concluded that these symptoms were not pollendependent but rather caused by volatile organic compounds emitted by the tree since fir pollen grains have disappeared at Christmas time. One of these compounds was identified as colophonium shown to be able to sensitize allergic patient to induce dermatitis [164]. Another confounding and misleading factor could be mold spores contaminating the Christmas tree [165]. ...
... However, authors concluded that these symptoms were not pollendependent but rather caused by volatile organic compounds emitted by the tree since fir pollen grains have disappeared at Christmas time. One of these compounds was identified as colophonium shown to be able to sensitize allergic patient to induce dermatitis [164]. Another confounding and misleading factor could be mold spores contaminating the Christmas tree [165]. ...
The conifers, from the latin meaning “cone carrier,” include about 650 species distributed in seven families. They are found all over the world, and the most known conifers are the cypresses, the junipers, the yews, the larches, the firs, or the pines. The most allergenic pollen is emitted by the Cupressaceae/Taxaceae family with mainly five different genera: Cupressus, Hesperocyparis, Juniperus, Cryptomeria, and Chamaecyparis. The symptomatic period starts in November and ends in April. In Mediterranean areas, Cupressus sempervirens is the most common pollinating species. Five main cypress allergens have been thoroughly described. Depending on the geographic area and the studied population, the prevalence of cypress allergy in the general population ranges from 0.6% to 3%, and 9–65% of outpatients consulting an allergist are sensitized to cypress pollen. This prevalence is increasing likely to be due to the modifications of the environment. Rhinitis is the most prevalent clinical symptom, while conjunctivitis is the most disabling. Clear-cut improvements of the quality of life are observed upon an effective and safe specific immunotherapy. Associations with food allergy based on molecular allergen cross-reactivities were described resulting in sometimes severe symptoms. Pollens from Pinaceae family, especially pines or firs, although abundant, do not demonstrate a significant clinical impact.
... It is used industrially in a great variety of common products, such as adhesives, cosmetics, and toiletries. Colophonium allergy is common, and a European study from 2015 showed that 2% of adolescents were already affected (Belloni Fortina et al., 2015;Gether et al., 2017). Colophony is a complex mixture of diterpene resinic acids (85-95%) and their oxidation products (Mutterer et al., 2000), the major constituents being abietic acid (Figure 45, 1) and dehydroabietic acid (2). ...
La dermatite allergique de contact (DAC) est une réaction inflammatoire aiguë, médiée par les cellules dendritiques (DCs) survenant suite à l’exposition répétée de la peau avec une molécule allergisante. La prévalence estimée des cas de DAC aux substances parfumantes est de 1,7 % à 4,1 % dans la population générale. Les molécules allergisantes sont des molécules appelées haptènes, qui vont se conjuguer avec des protéines de l’épiderme ou du derme. C’est le cas du cinnamaldéhyde (CinA), une molécule retrouvée dans la cannelle. Le linalol et le limonène sont des terpènes présents dans la lavande et l’orange, qui vont s’autoxyder au contact de l’air pour former des allergènes puissants, tels que les hydroperoxydes allyliques. Le premier objectif de cette thèse a été d’étudier le mécanisme d’action de ces terpènes et leurs hydroperoxydes allyliques respectifs sur la lignée cellulaire THP-1, qui sert de substitut aux cellules dendritiques. Le rôle du facteur de transcription Nrf2, majeur dans la lutte contre le stress oxydant, a également été investigué.Les consommateurs de produits cosmétiques sont exposés à de faibles concentrations de molécules allergisantes, mais plusieurs fois par jour ou par semaine. Nous avons souhaité étudier l’exposition répétée à de faibles doses d’haptène sur la peau.Les kératinocytes jouent également un rôle dans la DAC : ce sont les premières cellules qui vont rencontrer la molécule allergisante dans la peau. La deuxième partie de ce travail a été d’étudier l’impact d’une exposition répétée de CinA à de faible concentration sur ces KCs et plus particulièrement sur la différenciation de l’épiderme, en utilisant un modèle organotypique de peau en 3D.
... In order to improve the technical properties of colophony, abietic acid and its isomers are modified. Both modified and unmodified colophony are used in various areas (Karlberg, 2000;Nilsson et al., 2009;Kim et al., 2017;Gether et al., 2017). ...
The main objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of both turpintine and colophony parts of Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica (Taurus fir) oleoresin collected from Mersin-Turkey. Colophony of taurus fir was not performed before. Hydro-distillation was applied for the separation of turpentine and colophony. Samples were analyzed separately by FID-GC and GC-MS. The yield of oleoresin was 14,3 % turpentine and 82,5 % colophony. Fourty-six compounds were found in the turpentine where α-pinene (81,2 %) was the major compound with β-pinene (12,6 %). However, in the colophony abietane type resin acids were forming the main group (abietic 46,8%, neoabietic 29,5%). Resin hydrocarbons and terpenes were identified in the unsaponified fraction of colophony of Taurus fir. High α-pinene and abietic acid contents make this oleoresin to be used in pharmacy and chemical industries.
Keywords:
Turpintine; Colophony; Resin acids
... The fact that western Christmas habits may be a problem for those sensitised to colophonium was illustrated by a Danish 28-year-old atopic woman, who noted a severe bout of facial dermatitis after decorating a Christmas tree. Patch testing was not only (strongly) positive to colophonium, but also to spruce needles tested "as is" [190]. ...
Contact allergy is common, affecting 27% of the general population in Europe. Original publications, including case reports, published since 2016 (inclusive) were identified with the aim of collating a full review of current problems in the field. To this end, a literature search employing methods of systematic reviewing was performed in the Medline® and Web of Science™ databases on 28 January 2018, using the search terms (“contact sensitization” or “contact allergy”). Of 446 non-duplicate publications identified by above search, 147 were excluded based on scrutiny of title, abstract and key words. Of the remaining 299 examined in full text, 291 were deemed appropriate for inclusion, and main findings were summarised in topic sections. In conclusion, diverse sources of exposures to chemicals of widely-differing types and structures, continue to induce sensitisation in man and may result in allergic contact dermatitis. Many of the chemicals are “evergreen” but others are “newcomers”. Vigilance and proper investigation (patch testing) are required to detect and inform of the presence of these haptens to which our populations remain exposed.
Plants are a significant cause of skin reactions worldwide. Because most affected individuals do not present to a dermatologist, it is likely that skin reactions to plants are under-reported. Plants may induce mechanical irritant reactions, e.g., due to spines or hairs. Trauma to the plant may release chemical irritants such as calcium oxalate crystals or phorbol esters. Skin contact with furocoumarins in some plants, notably members of the Apiaceae, followed by exposure to ultraviolet A, induces a characteristic streaky rash leading to hyperpigmentation (phototoxicity). A few plant species including nettles (Urtica spp.) inject toxins into unsuspecting predators, a form of chemical warfare. These toxins include histamine, inducing nettle rash (urticaria). Other nonprotein plant constituents such as cinnamic acid derivatives may induce urticaria by a pharmacological mechanism. However, some individuals may develop immunologically mediated urticaria and even anaphylaxis caused by immediate hypersensitivity to plants or plant products, including fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Finally, a few plant families have the potential to induce allergic contact dermatitis; these include the daisy family (Asteraceae/Compositae) and poison ivy family (Anacardiaceae).
contact sensitization in children is more frequent than previously thought.
the ESSCA collected patch-test data from 11 European countries aggregated to 4 European regions.
6708 patients aged 1-16 years old with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were analysed during a period of 8 years (2002-2010). The overall prevalence of at least one positive reaction to a hapten was 36.9%. The 10 most frequent haptens were: nickel sulfate, cobalt chloride and potassium dichromate, neomycin sulfate, Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru), para-phenylendiamine, chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 3:1, fragrance mix, lanolin alcohols and colophony. No difference was found in the prevalence of at least one positive reaction to at least one hapten between boys and girls and between children with atopic dermatitis and children without. Children without atopic dermatitis, when compared with those with, had a significantly higher prevalence of contact sensitization for nickel sulfate (20.91% vs 16.87% respectively), 4-tert.butylphenol formaldehyde resin (1.61% vs. 0.7%) and para-phenylendiamine (2.49% vs. 1.3%).
chamber loading is not an exact science and variation may occur between staff and departments. Inter-institution variations in readings can occur. A possible geographical confounder is that the southern regions tested more children in the younger age group. Relevance was not addressed due to difficulties in the application of a set of uniform definitions.
Our study adds information on the most common contact allergens detected in children which could help to define a Standard European Pediatric Baseline Series. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Christmas tree hypersensitivity is a rare condition, which has so far obtained scarce attention in the medical literature. We present two clinical cases of hypersensitivity associated with Christmas tree exposure, a 51-year-old woman with allergic contact dermatitis and a 41-year-old man with allergic rhinitis. The female patient had a positive patch test reaction to colophony, and the male patient had a positive skin prick test reaction to alternaria mould. Both were successfully advised to avoid prolonged exposure to Christmas trees and buy artificial trees for Christmas.
A history of respiratory or other allergic symptoms during the Christmas season is occasionally obtained from allergic patients and can be related to exposure to conifers at home or in school. Incidence and mechanism of production of these symptoms were studied. Of 1657 allergic patients, respiratory and skin allergies to conifers occurred in 7%. This seasonal syndrome includes sneezing, wheezing and transitory skin rashes. The majority of patients develop their disease within 24 hours, but 15% experience symptoms after several days' delay. Mould and pollen studies were carried out in 10 test sites before, during and after tree placement in the home. Scrapings from pine and spruce bark yielded large numbers of Penicillium, Epicoccum and Alternaria, but these failed to become airborne. No significant alteration was discovered in the airborne fungi in houses when trees were present. Pollen studies showed release into air of weed, grass and tree pollens while Christmas trees were in the house. Oleoresins of the tree balsam are thought to be the most likely cause of the symptoms designated as Christmas tree allergy.