Korean J Dermatol.  1988 Apr;26(2):172-178.

Clinical Evaluation and Patch Test with Vegetables in Housewife' s Hang Eczema

• Kim HJ
• Yoon MS
• Kim DH
• Kim SC
• Hong KT

Abstract

The importance of vegetables as a allergen for the development of hand eczema has been a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of hand eczema and to investigate the role of vegetables in the hand eczema of Korean housewives. In this study, clinical evaluatons and patch tests with Hollister-Stier standard allergens and 22 vegetable allergens wer performed in 32 patients with housewife's hand eczema. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The prevalence was highest in fourth(59.4%) and third(25.0%) decades of life and the peak age of onset was third(53.1%) and fourth(31.3%) decades. 2. Only 3 of 32 patients(9.4%) had past histories of atopic dermatitis ; however, childrens of 12 patients(37.5%) had atopic dermatitis. 3. The common skin signs were fissuring(90.6%), scaling(78.1%), erythema(75.0%), hyperkeratosis(71.9%), lichenification(62.5%), and vesicle(43.8%) in descending order. 4. The common aggravating factors were soap or detergent(93.8%), water(90.6%) and rubber glove(25.0%). 5. The most common involved areas of hand eczema were fingers including fingertips and fingertips only. 6. The results of patch test using vegetable allergens with 10 normal controls were all negative. Of the 32 patients with hand eczema, 13(37.5%) showed positive patch test with standard allergens and 5(15.6%) showed positive with vegetable allergens. 7. Among 30 standard allergens, cinnamic alcohol(9.4%). potassium dichromate(9.4%), nickel sulfate(6.3%), and wool wax alcohol(6.3%) were the common allergens which showed positive reactions. Of the 22 vegetable allergens, garlic, Chinese cabbage juice, Chinese cabbage extract, cucumber juice, spinach extract, potato juice showed weak positive reactions in only one patient(3.1%) respectively. From the above results contact sensitivity to vegetables is not significant in Korean housewives with hand eczema.

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Allergens
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Brassica
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dermatitis, Contact
Eczema*
Fingers
Garlic
Hand
Humans
Nickel
Patch Tests*
Potassium
Prevalence
Rubber
Skin
Soaps
Solanum tuberosum
Spinacia oleracea
Vegetables*
Wool
Allergens
Nickel
Potassium
Rubber
Soaps