Rolls S, Owen E, Bertram CG, Bourke JF, Buckley DA, Chowdhury MMU, Cooper SM, Ghaffar SA, Green CM, Hughes TM, Johnston GA, Reckling CM, Thompson DA, Wakelin SH, Wilkinson M, Stone NM. What is in? What is out? Updating the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy facial series.
Br J Dermatol 2020;
184:151-155. [PMID:
32282055 DOI:
10.1111/bjd.19127]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to cosmetics is widely reported. To ensure we are accurately diagnosing ACD, patch test series should be continually reviewed to identify relevant and emerging allergens and highlight those that are outdated. The current British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA) facial series recommends 26 allergens and was last modified in 2012.
OBJECTIVES
To review and update the BSCA facial series.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the results from 12 UK and Ireland patch test centres' facial series from January 2016 to December 2017. We recorded the number of allergens tested in each centre and the detection rate for each allergen. Using a 0·3% positive rate as the inclusion threshold, we established which allergens in the BSCA facial series had positive patch test rates < 0·3% and > 0·3%. Allergens not in the BSCA facial series that had a positive patch test rate > 0·3% were identified.
RESULTS
Overall, 4224 patients were patch tested to the facial series. The number of allergens included in individual centres' facial series ranged from 24 to 66, with a total of 103 allergens tested across all centres. Twelve of the 26 allergens in the BSCA facial series had a positive patch test rate < 0·3% and 14 had a rate > 0·3%. Twenty-five allergens not recommended in the BSCA facial series had a positive patch test rate > 0·3%.
CONCLUSIONS
This audit has highlighted the significant variation in practice that exists among patch test centres, despite a recommended facial series. The BSCA facial series has been updated and now contains 24 allergens. Fifteen allergens remain, 11 allergens have been dropped and nine new allergens have been added.
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