Clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to lanolin : A ROAT study

Background: Lanolin is often included when patch testing for common contact allergens. The clinical relevance of a positive patch test reaction to lanolin markers is, however, still a subject for debate. Objectives: To evaluate Amerchol L101 as a marker of lanolin allergy and investigate the clinical impact of lanolin-containing moisturizers on healthy and damaged skin using the repeated open application test (ROAT). Methods: Twelve test subjects and 14 controls were patch tested with Amerchol L 101 and additional lanolin markers. Subsequently, a blinded ROAT was performed on the arms of the study participants for 4 weeks. Each participant applied a lanolin-free cream base and two different lanolin-containing test creams twice daily on one arm with intact skin and on the other arm with irritant dermatitis, induced by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Results: Eleven test subjects (92%) had positive patch test reactions to Amerchol L 101 when retested and one test subject (8%) had a doubtful reaction. None of the study participants had any skin reactions to the ROAT on intact skin and all participants healed during the ROAT on damaged skin. Conclusions: Lanolin-containing emollients do not cause or worsen existing dermatitis when performing ROAT in volunteers patch test positive to Amerchol L101

The Southern Sweden Adolescent Allergy-Cohort : Prevalence of allergic diseases and cross-sectional associations with individual and social factors

Objectives: Asthma and allergic diseases are the most frequent chronic diseases in childhood worldwide, and considered a burden for the affected children and their families. The diseases impose an economic burden on society if not diagnosed and treated properly and management of and these diseases are challenging for healthcare professionals. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the prevalence of allergic diseases in an unselected cohort of adolescents in southern Sweden. Additionally, associations with sociodemographic factors were investigated, as well as impact on daily life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a cohort of n = 1 530 school children, aged 13 to 14, from 13 municipalities in southern Sweden. Data were collected through web-based questionnaires. Results: Of all children 32% reported at least one allergic disease. 67% reported one allergic disease and 33% reported more than one. No allergy-related disease were reported by 68%. Current asthma was reported by 9.8% and current rhino-conjunctivitis was reported by 13%. The prevalence of food hypersensitivity was 12% and the prevalence of eczema was 11%. One to three wheezing attacks were reported from 55% and 40% reported more than four attacks of wheezing in the preceding year. The self-reported allergic diseases were diagnosed by a doctor in; 36% (food hypersensitivity) to 69% (rhinoconjunctivitis) of the cases. Conclusions: A high number of affected children were identified. Some children being undiagnosed and some not receiving satisfactory treatment. These results suggest that additional studies to evaluate treatment procedures in order to improve healthcare for allergic children are warranted

Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life in Relation to Allergic Disease among Adolescents: : Results from a Crosssectional Study

Aim: The overall aim of was to investigate the impact of self-reportedallergic disease on physical activity (PA) and health-related quality oflife (HRQoL) among adolescents.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 1 181 adolescents aged 13-14years (251 with current allergic disease), participating in the baselineinvestigation of the Southern Sweden allergy cohort, including a surveywith questions on wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, PA and HRQoL.Results: Boys were more physically active than girls (mean total PAscore 6.47 vs. 5.98, possible range 3-9). There were no noticeabledifferences in PA among adolescents with and without allergic disease(p ≥ 0.3 in all comparisons). Clear differences in HRQoL wereobserved depending on current or previous symptoms. In particular,adolescents with both current asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis scoredlower HRQoL than the others.Conclusions: Our results support the importance of havinghealth care measures directed towards promoting PA amongadolescents with allergic disease as part of their treatment.The noticeable impaired HRQoL during pollen season in relationto self-reported symptoms Observed in the present study warrantsfurther attention by health care.Keywords: Adolescent health; Allergy; Asthma; Physical activity;Health-related quality of lifeAbbreviations: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies inChildhood (ISAAC); The international Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ); Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL); Pediatric AllergicDisease Quality of Life Questi

IgE sensitization in a cohort of adolescents in southern Sweden and its relation to allergic symptoms

Abstract Background There is a strong and consistent association between IgE sensitization and allergy, wheeze, eczema and food hypersensitivity. These conditions are also found in non-sensitized humans, and sensitization is found among individuals without allergy-related diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse the sensitization profile in a representative sample of the population, and to relate patterns of allergens and allergen components to allergic symptoms. Methods A population of 195 adolescents took part in this clinical study, which included a self-reported questionnaire and in vitro IgE testing. Results Sensitization to airborne allergens was significantly more common than sensitization to food allergens, 43% vs. 14%, respectively. IgE response was significantly higher in airborne allergens among adolescents with rhinitis (p < 0.001) and eczema (p < 0.01). Among 53 children with allergic symptoms according to the questionnaire, 60% were sensitized. Sensitization to food allergens was found among those with rhinitis, but only to PR-10 proteins. None of the participants had IgE to seed storage proteins. Conclusion The adolescents in this study, taken from a normal Swedish population, were mainly sensitized to grass pollen and rarely to specific food allergens. The major grass pollen allergen Phl p 1 was the main sensitizer, followed by Cyn d 1 and Phl p 2. Sixty-one percent reporting any allergic symptom were sensitized, and the allergen components associated with wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis were Fel d 4, Der f 2 and Can f 5