Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview

Contact dermatitis is produced by external skin exposure to an allergen, but sometimes a systemically administered allergen may reach the skin and remain concentrated there with the aid of the circulatory system, leading to the production of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD). Metals such as nickel,...

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Main Authors: Yoko Yoshihisa, Tadamichi Shimizu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Dermatology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/749561
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author Yoko Yoshihisa
Tadamichi Shimizu
author_facet Yoko Yoshihisa
Tadamichi Shimizu
author_sort Yoko Yoshihisa
collection DOAJ
description Contact dermatitis is produced by external skin exposure to an allergen, but sometimes a systemically administered allergen may reach the skin and remain concentrated there with the aid of the circulatory system, leading to the production of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD). Metals such as nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc are ubiquitous in our environment. Metal allergy may result in allergic contact dermatitis and also SCD. Systemic reactions, such as hand dermatitis or generalized eczematous reactions, can occur due to dietary nickel or cobalt ingestion. Zinc-containing dental fillings can induce oral lichen planus, palmoplantar pustulosis, and maculopapular rash. A diagnosis of sensitivity to metal is established by epicutaneous patch testing and oral metal challenge with metals such as nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc. In vitro tests, such as the lymphocyte stimulating test (LST), have some advantages over patch testing to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, the determination of the production of several cytokines by primary peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures is a potentially promising in vitro method for the discrimination of metal allergies, including SCD, as compared with the LST.
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spelling doaj-art-a8acf206b1ce4b239ac437d0f16e4eea2025-08-20T03:39:09ZengWileyDermatology Research and Practice1687-61051687-61132012-01-01201210.1155/2012/749561749561Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An OverviewYoko Yoshihisa0Tadamichi Shimizu1Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, JapanContact dermatitis is produced by external skin exposure to an allergen, but sometimes a systemically administered allergen may reach the skin and remain concentrated there with the aid of the circulatory system, leading to the production of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD). Metals such as nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc are ubiquitous in our environment. Metal allergy may result in allergic contact dermatitis and also SCD. Systemic reactions, such as hand dermatitis or generalized eczematous reactions, can occur due to dietary nickel or cobalt ingestion. Zinc-containing dental fillings can induce oral lichen planus, palmoplantar pustulosis, and maculopapular rash. A diagnosis of sensitivity to metal is established by epicutaneous patch testing and oral metal challenge with metals such as nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc. In vitro tests, such as the lymphocyte stimulating test (LST), have some advantages over patch testing to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, the determination of the production of several cytokines by primary peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures is a potentially promising in vitro method for the discrimination of metal allergies, including SCD, as compared with the LST.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/749561
spellingShingle Yoko Yoshihisa
Tadamichi Shimizu
Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
Dermatology Research and Practice
title Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
title_full Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
title_fullStr Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
title_full_unstemmed Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
title_short Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview
title_sort metal allergy and systemic contact dermatitis an overview
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/749561
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