Chronic actinic dermatitis: Results of patch and photopatch tests with Compositae, fragrances, and pesticides

In patients with chronic actinic dermatitis reported from the United Kingdom, 36% to 85% had positive patch or photopatch tests to Compositae oleoresin extracts, and 21% to 66% had positive responses to fragrances. 1 Frain-Bell W Johnson BE. Contact allergic sensitivity to plants and the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome. Br J Dermatol. 1979; 101: 503-512 Crossref PubMed Scopus (107) Google Scholar , 2 Addo HA Ferguson J Johnson BE Frain-Bell W. The relationship between exposure to fragrance materials and persistent light reaction in the photosensitivity dermatitis with actinic reticuloid syndrome. Br J Dermatol. 1982; 107: 261-274 Crossref PubMed Scopus (77) Google Scholar , 3 Menagé HduP Ross JS Norris PG Hawk JLM White IR. Contact and photocontact sensitization in chronic actinic dermatitis: sesquiterpene lactone mix is an important allergen. Br J Dermatol. 1995; 132: 543-547 Crossref PubMed Scopus (96) Google Scholar It has been suggested that repeated exposure to these agents contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic actinic dermatitis. Because Compositae oleoresin extracts are not part of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group photopatch test series, the prevalence of positive reactions to these agents in U.S. patients is not known.