dimethylglyoxime and Hand-Dermatoses

Topics: Adult; Calorimetry; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Metallurgy; Nickel; Oximes

Nickel is widely used in coins; nickel may cause contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis in those who handle them.. To investigate alloy use, coin composition and nickel and cobalt release for a worldwide selection of currently circulating coins.. Eight hundred and fifty coins of 361 different denominations or issues from 52 countries were collected and analysed with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and nickel and cobalt spot tests.. Copper-nickel was the most frequently identified coin alloy, being observed in 100 denominations (28%), followed by aluminium-bronze (62, 17%). In total, 239 denominations released nickel (28%). Coins from Bolivia, Brazil and Costa Rica did not release nickel. Fewer than one-third of the denominations or issues from China, India, the euro area and Indonesia released nickel. In the United States, the Russian Federation, Japan, and Mexico, one-third or more of the denominations released nickel.. This worldwide selection of circulating coins covered countries with 75% of the world population, and shows that the majority of the world population lives in countries where coins release nickel. Pertinently, ∼ 40% of circulating coin denominations do not release nickel.

Topics: Cobalt; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Nickel; Numismatics; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Oximes; Risk Factors; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission

Hand eczema as well as nickel contact allergy is prevalent among hairdressers. Recently, two female hairdressers were diagnosed with nickel contact allergy-related hand eczema following prolonged skin contact with scissors and crochet hooks used during work.. To determine the proportion of hairdressers' scissors and crochet hooks that released an excessive amount of nickel and to determine the prevalence of nickel allergy among patch-tested female hairdressers.. Random hairdressers' stores in Copenhagen were visited. The dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test was used to assess excessive nickel release. The prevalence of nickel allergy among female hairdressers from the database at Gentofte Hospital was compared with the prevalence of nickel allergy among other consecutively patch-tested dermatitis patients.. DMG testing showed that 1 (0.5%; 95% CI = 0 - 2.0) of 200 pairs of scissors and 7 (53.8%; 95% CI = 26.0 - 82.0) of 13 crochet hooks released an excessive amount of nickel. The prevalence of nickel allergy was higher among middle-aged and older female hairdressers than among young female hairdressers.. The prevalence of nickel allergy was lower among young hairdressers in comparison to older hairdressers. This may possibly be a result of the European Union (EU) Nickel Directive or a consequence of a decreased use of nickel-releasing work tools in salons. When nickel allergic hairdressers present with hand eczema, their work tools should be investigated for nickel release.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Beauty Culture; Denmark; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Oximes; Patch Tests; Prevalence; Trace Elements; Young Adult

To determine the release of nickel from 1- and 2-euro coins and the ability to produce allergic contact dermatitis from the application of coins to the palmar skin of nickel-sensitized individuals.. Three experiments were conducted. Experiments 1 and 2 checked the release of nickel from 1- and 2-euro coins by using the dimethylglyoxime test. In experiment 3, the elicitation of positive reactions was checked by applying coins to the palmar skin for 48 h under occlusion in nickel-sensitized and non-sensitized individuals.. The dimethylglyoxime test for release of nickel was positive in all cases. Positive patch test reactions to euro coins applied to the palmar skin of nickel-sensitized individuals were observed at 48 and 96 h.. The results show that positive patch test reactions to euro coins can be obtained from nickel-sensitized individuals after 48 h of application to the palmar skin under occlusion. These results do not contradict other experiments in which repeated handling of coins was unable to provoke fingertip allergic contact dermatitis. A dose-response relationship is a credible explanation to support such potential discrepancies.

Topics: Belgium; Dermatitis, Contact; European Union; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Nickel; Numismatics; Oximes; Patch Tests; Reference Values; Risk Assessment; Sampling Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity