Ann Dermatol.  2013 May;25(2):152-155. 10.5021/ad.2013.25.2.152.

The Fine Scratches of the Spectacle Frames and the Allergic Contact Dermatitis

• Kim IS
• Yoo KH
• Kim MN
• Hong HK
• Choi YS
• Jo YC
• Kim BJ
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2171781
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2013.25.2.152

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Spectacle contact allergy is not infrequent. The fine scratches on the spectacle frames which may play a role in the sensitization to the potential allergenic components have not been studied.
OBJECTIVE
We sought the relationship between the scratches on the spectacle frames and the allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the Republic of Korea.
METHODS
A total of 42 Korean patients with ACD at the spectacle contact sites were enrolled. Their spectacle frames were examined with the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test and analyzed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Patch tests (thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous test [TRUE tests]) were performed to identify the skin allergens.
RESULTS
The DMG-positive spectacle frames were identified in 78.5% of the frames. The SEM results showed that there were more scratches on the skin-contacting parts of the spectacle frames than the non-skin-contacting parts of the same frames. In the EDS findings, the mean nickel content (weight, %) of the spectacle frames was 15.7+/-5.5, and the mean chromium content was 20.3+/-3.4 at the skin-contacting parts. In the TRUE tests, nickel sulphate was the most common allergen (31 cases, 73.8%), and potassium dichromate was the second (9 cases, 21.4%). Three patients presented simultaneous positive reactions with nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate.
CONCLUSION
Minor visible and non-visible fine scratches on the spectacle frames may present the provocation factors of the ACD. Nickel sulphate was the most common allergen suspected of provoking the spectacle frame-induced ACD, followed by potassium dichromate.

Keyword

Allergic contact dermatitis; Fine scratch; Spectacle frame

MeSH Terms

Chromium
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Nickel
Oximes
Patch Tests
Potassium
Potassium Dichromate
Skin
Spectrum Analysis
Chromium
Nickel
Oximes
Potassium
Potassium Dichromate

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Scratches on the skin-contacting parts of the spectacle frames analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (B) Black arrow indicates the skin-contacting part.

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  Fig. 2 Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) imaging: (A) Nickel and chromium components at the skin-contacting parts of the spectacle frames. (B) The mean nickel content (weight, %) was 15.7±5.5, and the mean chromium content was 20.3±3.4 at the skin-contacting part of the spectacle frames.

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