Absorption of Some Organic Compounds Through the Skin in Man

Summary

Background Construction workers have a substantial risk of developing irritant and/or allergic contact dermatitis. Unfortunately, however, there is little population-based epidemiological data relating to occupational skin diseases (OSD) in the European construction industry that allow assessment of preventive measures.



Objectives  In this investigation, the yearly incidence rates and causes of OSD in the construction industry were analysed on the basis of our register in Northern Bavaria.



Methods  From 1990 until 1999, all incidences of OSD in the construction industry were recorded prospectively. This enables the calculation of incidence rates of OSD in relation to the employed population in Northern Bavaria as recorded by the German Federal Employment Office.



Results  In the construction industry, a total of 335 OSD were registered. These comprise 9·0% of all OSD in the register. We classified them into four relevant groups: (A) tile setters and terrazzo workers (incidence per 10 000 employees = 19·9); (B) painters (7·8); (C) construction and cement workers (5·2); and (D) wood processors (2·6). The overall incidence was 5·1 per 10 000 employees over 10 years, which is a little below average for the entire register (6·7). Of these, 43·6% were at least 40 years old. Allergic contact dermatitis (61·5%) occurred more often than irritant contact dermatitis (44·5%). Potassium dichromate caused roughly half of all cases of sensitization found to be occupationally relevant in the construction industry (152 cases) followed by epoxy resin (40) and cobalt chloride (32).



Conclusions  The results indicate that potassium dichromate is still the most important allergen in the construction industry of Northern Bavaria; there has been no significant decline during the 1990s. This contrasts with the Scandinavian countries, where the prevalence of potassium dichromate sensitization declined following the reduction of chromium VI levels resulting from the addition of ferrous sulphate to cement. Within the construction industry, tile setters and terrazzo workers have a strikingly high incidence of OSD.

Occupational skin disease in the construction industry

The history of chromium as an allergen goes back more than a century, and includes an interventional success with national legislation that led to significant changes in the epidemiology of chromium allergy in construction workers. The 2015 EU Leather Regulation once again put a focus on chromium allergy, emphasizing that the investigation of chromium allergy is still far from complete. Our review article on chromium focuses on the allergen's chemical properties, its potential exposure sources, and the allergen's interaction with the skin, and also provides an overview of the regulations, and analyses the epidemiological pattern between nations and across continents. We provide an update on the allergen from a dermatological point of view, and conclude that much still remains to be discovered about the allergen, and that continued surveillance of exposure sources and prevalence rates is necessary.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cod.12436

Chromium allergy and dermatitis: prevalence and main findings.

Androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata are common disorders of the hair follicle which may heavily influence self esteem and self image. Androgenetic alopecia is caused by the heightened sensitivity of scalp follicles to dihydrotestosterone whereas alopecia areata is induced by an autoimmune reaction. Current drug treatment approaches include the use of regrowth stimulators such as topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for androgenetic alopecia, as well as topical minoxidil, dithranol (anthralin), corticosteroids, contact sensitisers, and psoralen plus ultraviolet A irradiation (PUVA) therapy for alopecia areata. Combination regimens are also proposed. However, extreme cases of either type of alopecia do not generally respond well to these existing treatments. For this reason, new therapeutic strategies are directed towards both improving the targeting of existing agents, as well as the development of novel hypertrichotic modalities.

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Treatments for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata: current options and future prospects.

Three adults with extensive psoriasis were treated with an ointment containing 3% or 6% salicylic acid incorporated in either Eucerin or hydrophilic ointment USP XV. This was applied six times a day. Between the second and the fourth day, symptoms of salicylism developed in all three patients. The outstanding symptoms were nausea, dyspnea, decreased ability to hear, confusion, and hallucinations. The levels of salicylic acid in the serum ranged from 46 to 64 mg/100 ml. Within one day after discontinuing the applications of the salicylic acid ointment, the symptoms had largely disappeared. The levels of salicylic acid in the serum decreased to zero within a few days.

Percutaneous Salicylic Acid Intoxication in Psoriasis

Ferrous Sulphate combines with Potassium Dichromate in cement to form an insoluble compound. The addition of 0.3% Ferrous Sulphate to patch tests with cement reduced in sensitive individuals the intensity of patch test reactions and abolished it in some altogether. Patients with a normal skin alkaline resistance test benefitted most. These observations suggest possibilities of preventing cement-induced Chromate sensitivity.

Abschwächung der ekzematogenen Wirkung des Zementes durch Ferrosulfat

Studies on the permeability of the skin for salicylic acid

1. Es gelingt, bei Mausen intravenos injiziertes l-3,4-Dioxyphenylalanin (Dopa) makroskopisch (durch Bildung einer dunkelblauen Farbung) sowohl, als auch mikroskopisch in der Haut nachzuweisen, und zwar auf fermentativem Wege (durchTyrosinase) oder durch rein chemische Reaktionen (mitSilbernitrat, Albargin, Kaliumpersulfat). 2. Das injizierte Dopa last sich vor allem im mesodermalen Teile der Haut nachweisen. Ob es auch in die ektodermalen Bestandteile derselben ubergeht, lies sich nicht entscheiden. 3. Bei Anwendung der von uns angegebenen Technik (Trockengefrierschnitte, Tropfenmethode) zeigt sowohl die Haut albinotischer Tiere als auch die des Menschen eine bisher unbekannte, stark ausgesprochene, granulare Reaktion mit Silbernitrat, die keinerlei Beziehung zur Melaninbildung hat. 4. Die unter 3 angegebene Reaktion beruht, wie die chemische Analyse ergibt, auf der Anwesenheit von Kohlehydraten mit Aldosecharakter. Es handelt sich, wie aus den dargestellten Osazonen hervorgeht, um Hexosen und Polyosen.

Versuche zum histologisch-chemischen Nachweis intravenös injizierter Substanzen (speziell l-3,4-Dioxyphenylalanin) innerhalb der Epithelzellen

/pdf/papers-accepted-for-publication-in-dermatologica-angenommene-4gi2dzndc3.pdf

W. Burckhardt

Papers

Abschwächung der ekzematogenen Wirkung des Zementes durch Ferrosulfat

Studies on the permeability of the skin for salicylic acid

Versuche zum histologisch-chemischen Nachweis intravenös injizierter Substanzen (speziell l-3,4-Dioxyphenylalanin) innerhalb der Epithelzellen

Papers accepted for publication in Dermatologica – Angenommene Arbeiten für Dermatologica – Travaux acceptés pour la publication dans Dermatologica