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Biomedical subjects

B Meding

Publications and source records attributed to B Meding.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Differences between the sexes with regard to work-related skin disease.

Work-related skin disease is common and usually presents as hand eczema. From the Occupational Injury Information System in Sweden, as well as from registers of industrial injuries in other countries, it is evident that females report skin disease more often than males. Epidemiological studies of hand eczema also show that women are more often affected than men, in particular young women. The most common type of hand eczema is irritant contact dermatitis, which is often caused by wet work. Many female-dominated occupations involve extensive wet work, e.g., hairdressing, catering, cleaning and health-care work. These occupations are also high-risk occupations for hand eczema. Experimental studies of skin irritation have not confirmed differences between the sexes; thus, the higher prevalence of irritant contact dermatitis among females is most likely due to exposure, occupational and non-occupational. Nickel allergy is the most common contact allergy, which is most frequent in young females, and in 30-40% results over time in hand eczema. Hand eczema has an impact on quality of life and females seem to report a higher degree of discomfort than males. To achieve the optimal effect of preventive efforts regarding occupational skin disease, the focus for prevention should aim at reducing wet exposure.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗
PubMed2000

Contact allergy and hand eczema in Swedish dentists.

Hand eczema and contact allergy in Swedish dentists were studied in a multidisciplinary project. The aims of the study were to establish diagnoses, to investigate the occurrence of contact allergy, in particular to (meth)acrylates, and to evaluate certain consequences of hand eczema. A postal questionnaire on skin symptoms, atopy and occupational experience was mailed to 3,500 dentists aged <65 years, and licensed 1965-1995. The response rate was 88%. Among dentists living in 3 major cities, 14.9% (n= 191) reported hand eczema during the previous year. They were invited to a clinical examination, including patch testing with a standard and a dental series. 158/191 (83%) dentists attended, and hand eczema diagnosis was confirmed in 149/158 (94%). Irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 67% and allergic contact dermatitis in 28%. On patch testing, 50% presented at least 1 positive reaction. The most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate, fragrance mix, gold sodium thiosulfate and thiuram mix. 7 (5%) had positive reactions to (meth)acrylates, all to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 6 also to ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. 38% had consulted a physician, 4% had been on sick-leave and 1% had changed occupational tasks due to hand eczema. No dentist with allergy to acrylates had been on sick-leave or changed occupation. It is concluded that dentistry is a high-risk occupation for hand eczema, and that irritant contact dermatitis is most common. The prevalence of contact allergy to acrylates was below 1% in the population of responding dentists, and in most cases did not have serious medical, social or occupational consequences.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of self-reported hand eczema and skin symptoms associated with dental materials among Swedish dentists.

In the present study we investigated the prevalence of self-reported hand eczema as well as subjective associations between skin symptoms and composite/bonding or other dental materials among Swedish dentists. A questionnaire on skin symptoms, atopy, occupational experience, and other background factors was sent to a random sample (n=3,500) of all dentists licensed since 1965. This group corresponds to about half of the country's occupationally active dentists. The response rate was 88%. The questionnaire had previously been validated against clinical dermatological examination of subjects reporting hand eczema. The prevalence of dry and rough skin on the hands was high (45%). Hand eczema during the previous 12 months was reported by 13.5%. Dry skin and hand eczema were more common among dentists than in two age-matched general population samples investigated using identical questions. The difference versus the general population was most pronounced (about two-fold) among male dentists. A history of childhood eczema was the most important predictor for adult hand eczema, with a prevalence ratio of 2.4 compared to dentists without childhood eczema. Seven % reported skin symptoms when working with acrylic resins, and 15% had experienced rapid itching related to protective gloves.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1998

Late skin-prick-test reactions to malted wheat. Clinical observations and immunohistochemical characterization.

This study reports late skin-prick-test (SPT) reactions in seven bakers and seven control subjects to malted wheat appearing after 6-10 h, and not preceded by an immediate-phase reaction. Two subjects in each group had a history of atopic symptoms and were Phadiatope positive. Serologic IgE analysis (RAST) of normal wheat flour and of malted wheat grain was negative in all subjects. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained 16-18 h after SPT to malted wheat grain and to histamine and from untested skin. The late SPT reactions in all participants had an urticarial appearance, clinically and in routine histology. Immunohistologically mild to moderate perivascular dermal cell infiltrates were observed in both groups, consisting mainly of CD4+ and HLA-DR+ cells. The number of CD1a+ epidermal cells was statistically significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the bakers' prick-tested skin compared to that of the controls, a fact which might reflect preparedness to react upon challenge. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in IgE+ epidermal cells or epidermal cells expressing the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI). However, there was a correlation between serum-IgE levels and the number of IgE+ epidermal cells. The late skin reactions observed in both bakers and controls were probably more of an irritant or toxic than immune-mediated nature, but they raise the question of whether skin contact with malted flour contributes to an unfavorable prognosis of hand eczema in bakers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Occurrence of self reported hand eczema in Swedish bakers.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of bakers developing hand eczema. The importance of atopy was studied as well as change of job due to hand eczema. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed among bakers trained in Swedish trade schools in 1961-89 (n = 2923). School referents followed other programmes (n = 1258); population controls were randomly selected from the general population (n = 1258). A questionnaire on self reported hand eczema, year of onset of hand eczema, change of work due to hand eczema, childhood eczema, family atopy, and work history was posted to all participants. RESULTS: The incidence of hand eczema among male controls was 4.4-5.4 cases/1,000 person-years compared with 16.7 for bakery work. The corresponding figures for women were 11.3-14.1 compared with 34.4. The relative risk for male bakers was 3.5 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.8 to 4.5) and for female bakers 2.8 (2.2 to 3.6). Skin atopy increased the incidence about threefold and a synergistic effect of atopy and exposure was indicated. Also, bakers had changed job significantly more often than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Swedish bakers, mainly working during the 1970s and 1980s, have about a threefold increased risk of hand eczema. There seems to be a synergistic effect of atopy and occupational exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Variability in the skin exposure of machine operators exposed to cutting fluids.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes a new technique for measuring skin exposure to cutting fluids and evaluates the variability of skin exposure among machine operators performing cyclic (repetitive) work. METHODS: The technique is based on video recording and subsequent analysis of the video tape by means of computer-synchronized video equipment. The time intervals at which the machine operator's hand was exposed to fluid were registered, and the total wet time of the skin was calculated by assuming different evaporation times for the fluid. The exposure of 12 operators with different work methods was analyzed in 6 different workshops, which included a range of machine types, from highly automated metal cutting machines (ie, actual cutting and chip removal machines) requiring operator supervision to conventional metal cutting machines, where the operator was required to maneuver the machine and manually exchange products. RESULTS: The relative wet time varied between 0% and 100%. A significant association between short cycle time and high relative wet time was noted. However, there was no relationship between the degree of automatization of the metal cutting machines and wet time. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that skin exposure to cutting fluids can vary considerably between machine operators involved in manufacturing processes using different types of metal cutting machines. The machine type was not associated with dermal wetness. The technique appears to give objective information about dermal wetness.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sensitization and exposure to methylisothiazolinones (Kathon) in the pulp and paper industry--a report of two cases.

Two cases of contact allergy to methylisothiazolinones from slimicides used in pulp and paper mills are described. The first patient worked as a batcher in a paper mill, and he was in charge of pumping slimicides containing methylisothiazolinones. During pumping, the liquid often overflowed, and his clothes were wet daily with slimicides. After 3 months of work, he began to suffer from dermatitis, which improved when he was away from work. A clinical investigation confirmed the dermatitis diagnosis and a positive skin patch test to Kathon CG was found. The second patient worked as an agent for a firm marketing slimicides containing methylisothiazolinones. One of his tasks was to pump slimicides into the mills, and during such operations his clothes often got wet from slimicides. After some years of work, he began to suffer from erythema and dermatitis after contact with the slimicides. A skin patch test showed a strongly positive reaction to Kathon CG. These case reports draw the attention to the fact that employees in the pulp and paper industry handling slimicides are exposed to extraordinarily high concentrations of methylisothiazolinones and run a substantial risk of being sensitized. The report also stresses the need for improved handling routines of those strong sensitizers in the paper mills.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1997

Potential side effects of dental amalgam restorations. (I). An oral and medical investigation.

The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between health status and self-reported adverse effects related to dental amalgam restorations. A group of 50 consecutive patients (index group), referred for complaints self-related to dental amalgam restorations, was compared with a control group of individuals matched by age, sex and postal zip code. The patients underwent an oral, stomatognathic, medical and clinical chemistry examination. Mercury levels were examined in blood, urine and hair. The results revealed that somatic diseases were more common in the index group (38% versus 6%). Symptoms related to cranio-mandibular dysfunction were reported by 74% of the patients in the index group versus 24% in the control group, and were diagnosed in 62% and 36%, respectively. The oral health status and the number of amalgam surfaces were similar in the 2 groups. No positive skin patch test to mercury was found in any of the groups. The estimated mercury intake from fish consumption, occupational exposure, and mercury levels in blood and urine were also similar and far below levels, where negative health effects would be expected. The correlation between the number of amalgam surfaces and mercury levels in plasma and urine (r=0.43) indicated a release of mercury from dental amalgam restorations in both groups. Since the mercury levels were similar among index patients and controls, mercury was not a likely cause of the impaired health reported by the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Skin symptoms and contact allergy in woodwork teachers.

To estimate the occurrence of skin symptoms and the prevalence of contact allergy to occupational allergens, 84 male woodwork teachers were interviewed, clinically examined and patch tested. The tests included a supplemented European standard series and acetone extracts of wood dust of pine, spruce, juniper and birch. In addition, 10 colophony-allergic volunteers were tested with dilution series of wood dust extracts. Major colophony compounds in the dust extracts were analyzed with gas chromatography. We found a high 1-year period prevalence of generally mild hand eczema: 19%. Contact allergy was diagnosed to several allergens in the working environment, e.g., benzisothiazolin-3-one, nickel, formaldehyde and colophony. A clear relationship between patch test reactions to colophony and to coniferous woods, especially pine, was found. Exposure to wood dust at work caused dermatitis in a colophony-sensitized teacher.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Wood dust from jelutong (Dyera costulata) causes contact allergy.

Jelutong is the wood from Dyera costulata growing in south-east Asia. It is soft and easy to work and is used in, e.g., model workshops in car factories. It has also been much used in woodwork teaching in Swedish comprehensive schools. To estimate the prevalence of contact allergy to jelutong, 84 woodwork teachers and 110 consecutive dermatitis patients were patch tested with extract from wood dust of jelutong. 16/84 (19%) teachers had positive reactions. When they were tested with a dilution series, positive reactions were obtained for 6 mg and down to 0.3 mg of the extracted material. Half the test-positive teachers had skin symptoms that might be related to exposure to jelutong 4/110 dermatitis patients at the clinic also had positive reactions, and possible exposure to jelutong was traced in 3 of them. 3 other dermatitis patients had flare-up reactions after about 2 weeks, indicating patch-test sensitization. To investigate the sensitizing capacity of the extract, the cumulative contact enhancement test was performed in guinea pigs. This confirmed that the extracted material was sensitizing, and a clear dose-response relationship was found. The schools will be recommended to use safer wood alternatives in woodwork teaching.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Airborne contact dermatitis from unexpected exposure to rosin (colophony). Rosin sources revealed with chemical analyses.

We report 3 cases of contact dermatitis in rosin-sensitive individuals caused by exposure to airborne rosin components from different sources. Case no. 1 was a female office worker with a facial dermatitis caused by rosin components which emanated from the linoleum floor covering in her office. Floor material containing wood flour and rosin was released into the air, causing a facial dermatitis in the rosin-sensitive subject. Case no. 2 involved a woman who worked in a factory producing dairy product cartons and had a dermatitis on her lower legs, lower arms and upper chest. Her dermatitis was caused by dust from the paper cartons and contact allergy to rosin components probably aggravated her dermatitis. Case no. 3 was a female office worker with a relapsing dermatitis on her eyelids. Her dermatitis was caused by a rosin-containing floor polish, which was seen as a powder on the office floor. Extracts of suspected material and products were patch tested and analysed for the presence of rosin components with HPLC and GC techniques. A discussion and recommendations on chemical analyses of rosin components follow. We conclude that a thorough investigation, including chemical analyses, can rule out non-specific diagnoses and offer a solution to the patient's skin problems.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1994

Hand eczema in car mechanics.

To estimate the prevalence of hand eczema, a questionnaire was distributed to 901 male car mechanics. Of the 801 persons who responded, 15% reported hand eczema on some occasion in the previous 12 months, and 57% admitted dry skin on the hands. In a 2nd part of the study, those who reported hand eczema were examined and patch tested with a standard series and a special "car mechanics' series". The most common diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis, 55%, and 2nd was allergic contact dermatitis, 19%. 35/105 (33%) had a total of 51 positive patch test reactions, all to substances in the standard series, except for 2 persons who reacted to oxidized d-limonene. The most frequent reactions were to thimerosal (9%), nickel (8%) and colophony (5%). One plausible explanation for the high prevalence of nickel allergy was the common use of nickel-plated tools. 5 individuals had a history of contact urticaria, but scratch tests were negative. It was concluded that car mechanics are at high risk for contact dermatitis on the hands, irritant as well as allergic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of skin symptoms among workers at a Swedish paper mill.

Process and office workers at a Swedish paper mill (n = 274) and dairy workers (n = 45) were investigated with questionnaires regarding skin symptoms. In the second part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms and a random sample of subjects without symptoms were examined and investigated with patch testing. Pruritus and skin irritation probably related to exposure to dust were found. The results do not indicate an increased prevalence of contact allergy. In two cases, positive patch test reactions to paper size (rosin) and a slimicide, mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), were noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Skin symptoms among workers in a spice factory.

Workers in a Swedish spice factory (n = 70), and in the office (n = 23) of the same company, were investigated by questionnaire regarding skin symptoms. In a 2nd part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms were examined and investigated by patch and prick testing. Skin symptoms were reported by 1/2 the factory workers. Pruritus and skin irritation, particularly from cinnamon powder, were common. Patch test reactions to cinnamic aldehyde were found in 11/25 factory workers, but in several cases, the nature of the reactions was difficult to evaluate. Irritant patch test reactions were seen from powders of cardamom, paprika and white pepper. On prick testing, 6/25 workers reacted to cinnamic aldehyde. The results illustrate the difficulties of patch testing with spices and indicate the need for further research and validation of methods.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1993

Asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis in workers exposed to reactive dyes.

A survey was conducted at 15 textile plants with dyehouses in western Sweden. Employees with a history of work related rhinitis, asthma, or skin symptoms were offered a clinical and immunological investigation including skin prick tests, skin patch tests, and radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) to detect specific allergy to reactive dyes. Among the 1142 employees, 162 were exposed to reactive dyes and 10 of these (6%) reported work related respiratory or nasal symptoms. An allergy to reactive dyes could be confirmed in five (3%, 95% confidence interval 1-7%). All but one had been exposed to reactive dyes for one year or less before the onset of symptoms. Positive RASTs could be detected in four of the five patients. All of the RAST positive patients were positive to remazol black B, but six out of eight additional remazol dyes also elicited positive results. RAST and RAST inhibition showed a cross reactivity between some of the dyes. Seven persons with work related dermatitis and three with urticaria or Quincke oedema were found. In one patient contact dermatitis to a monoazo dye was shown, but no positive patch test reactions to reactive dyes. IgE-mediated allergy to reactive dyes seems to be an important cause of respiratory and nasal symptoms among dyehouse employees exposed to dust from reactive dyes.

Adult↗