Contact sensitizations in massage therapists with occupational contact dermatitis: Patch test data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology, 2008–2020. (4th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brans, Richard; Schröder‐Kraft, Claudia; Bauer, Andrea; Weisshaar, Elke; Skudlik, Christoph; Geier, Johannes
• Other Names: Grabbe Jürgen investigator.; Siedlecki Katharina investigator.; Strom Kerstin investigator.; Worm Margitta investigator.; Simon Dagmar investigator.; Dickel Heinrich investigator.; Vieluf Dieter investigator.; Koch André investigator.; Wagner Nicola investigator.; Gina Michal investigator.; Kränke B. investigator.; Werfel Thomas investigator.; Schäkel Knut investigator.; Löffler Harald investigator.; Pföhler Claudia investigator.; Schliemann Sibylle investigator.; Heine Guido investigator.; Treudler Regina investigator.; Nestoris Stefan investigator.; Recke Andreas investigator.; Becker Detlef investigator.; Nicolay Jan investigator.; Stadler Rudolf investigator.; Rueff Franziska investigator.; Brockow Knut investigator.; Brehler Randolf investigator.; Raap Ulrike investigator.; Rieker‐Schwienbacher Juliane investigator.; Wilfinger Daniel investigator.; Weiß Johannes investigator.; Trautmann Axel investigator.; Lang Claudia investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 88:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2022-10-04
• Subjects: allergic contact dermatitis -- essential oils -- fragrances -- hand dermatitis -- hand eczema -- massage therapists -- occupational -- patch test -- work‐related; Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.14218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Massage therapists are particularly exposed to constituents of massage preparations, wet work and mechanical strain and therefore, at high risk to develop occupational dermatitis (OD). Objectives: To describe the sensitization spectrum of massage therapists with OD. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective study, patch test data of patients with OD (128 massage therapists and 24 374 patients working in other professions) collected by the Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK, 2008–2020) were analysed. Results: Hand dermatitis (91.4%) and allergic contact dermatitis (34.4%) were common in massage therapists with OD. Most frequent were sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils which were found in 54 (42.2%) massage therapists and thus, more often than in other patients with OD. Concomitant positivity to several fragrances/essential oils was frequent. In 8 (14.8%) of the 54 massage therapists, sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils were not detected with the baseline series, but only with special fragrance series. Conclusions: Allergic contact dermatitis is common in massage therapists with OD and is mainly caused by fragrances and essential oils. Hence, massage therapists should be aware of this risk. When OD is suspected, not only the baseline series, but also special fragrance series should be patch tested in this occupational group. Abstract : Hand dermatitis (91.4%) and allergic contact dermatitis (34.4%) were common in massage therapists with occupational dermatitis. Most frequent were sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils which were found in 54 (42.2%) of massage therapists and thus, more often than in other patients with occupational dermatitis. In eight (14.8%) of the massage therapists, sensitizations to fragrances/essential oils were not detected with the baseline series, but only with special fragrance series. Massage therapists should be made aware of the sensitization risk of fragranced massage preparations. When OD is suspected, a broad spectrum of fragrances/essential oils beyond the baseline series and patients' own products should be tested.