A study of garlic sensitivity in patients with hand eczema

Lee, Bong Koo; Kim, Kea Jeung; Kang, Hyung Jai; Eun, Hee Chul; Kim, Jeong Aee

Abstract

The importance of garlic as a cause of hand eczema has been a matter of debate. Diallyldisulfide is considered as the main allergen in garlic. Twentv two antigens of the modified European standard series and diallyldisulfide of 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% in petrolatum were patch tested in 44 patients with hand eczema. Diallylclisi.!lfide was also tested in 13 women as a control. The results were summerized as follows. l. In patch testing with the European standard series, nickel sulfate (22.7%), cobalt chloride (18.2%), fragrance mix (13.6%), balsam of Peru (9.1%) and termerosal (6.8%) were the cornmon allergens which showed positive reactions. The overal positive rate was 59.1 % (26/44). 2.5% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 6 (46.2%) out of 13 controls and in 16 (36.4% ) out of 44 patients. 2% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 2/13 (15.4 %) in the control group and 6/44 (13.6%) in the patient group. All 13 controls and 44 patients were negative iin tests with diallyldisulfide of 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%. Our results indicate that patch testing with diallyldisulfide of 1% petrolatum is reommended in order to avoid an irritant reaction when contact allergy to garlic is suspetel. 3. Garlic is suspected as an irritant in provoking hand eczema. True contact allergy to garlic in hand eczema seems to be rare.