Abstract
Little is yet known about the duration of contact sensitivity, but frequent exposure of a target to allergen seems to reduce skin reactivity. The aim of this study was to study the persistence of a specific contact sensitivity in 66 patients with alopecia areata, previously sensitized to DNCB (31 patients) and SADBE (35 patients) between 1978-1985. Patch tests were performed with 0.020 ml of different concentrations of DNCB or SADBE in acetone(0.05%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 1%). The results were read in a standardized manner. Of 66 patients, 47 (71%) had positive reactions and 19 (29%) negative. 8 of the 19 negative patients had been treated with DNCB, 11 with SADBE. Approximately 1/3 of the patients previously sensitized had lost their original sensitivity, and this did not seem to be time-dependent. This phenomenon seemed to be clinically correlated because the majority of the patients were from the 'low responders' group. We think that acquired unresponsiveness to topical antigen in man is a possible phenomenon, but that it occurs more rarely than in mice and guinea pigs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 183-186 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Contact Dermatitis |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1991 |
Keywords
- alopecia areata
- contact sensitization
- DNCB
- loss with time
- man
- SADBE
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Toxicology