Pizza makers' contact dermatitis

An uncommon cause of swimmer's rash: Allergic contact dermatitis to persulfates in pools

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an important diagnosis to consider in patients with dermatitis following specific exposures. Classically, ACD from persulfates is associated with hair-bleaching products and spa water/swimming pool exposure and is most commonly reported in adult men. We report a case of ACD to potassium peroxymonopersulfate (PPMS), a common pool "shocking" chemical, in a 7-year-old boy presenting with recurrent and diffuse dermatitis triggered by swimming pool exposure.

Avenues for non-conventional robotics technology applications in the food industry

Robots in manufacturing alleviate hazardous environmental conditions, reduce the physical/mental stress of the workers, maintain high precision for repetitive movements, reduce errors, speed up production, and minimize production costs. Although robots have pervaded many industrial sectors and domestic environments, the experiments in the food sectors are limited to pick-and-place operations and meat processing while we are assisting new attention in gastronomy. Given the great performances of the robots, there would be many other intriguing applications to explore which could usher the transition to precision food manufacturing. This review wants open thoughts and opinions on the use of robots in different food operations. First, we reviewed the recent advances in common applications - e.g. novel sensors, end-effectors, and robotic cutting. Then, we analyzed the use of robots in other operations such as cleaning, mixing/kneading, dough manipulation, precision dosing/cooking, and additive manufacturing. Finally, the most recent improvements of robotics in gastronomy with their use in restaurants/bars and domestic environments, are examined. The comprehensive analyses and the critical discussion highlighted the needs of further scientific understanding and exploitation activities aimed to fill the gap between the laboratory-scale results and the validation in the relevant environment.

Are There Ethnic Differences in Hand Eczema? A Review

Hand eczema is a common disease with economic and social ramifications. This study undertakes a review of certain existing literature to provide insight into contributory factors which may result in the varying prevalence and severity of hand eczema among different ethnic groups, particularly to identify modifiable risk factors, as well as to ascertain knowledge gaps for future research direction. The existing literature suggests that factors including (a) genes, (b) differing skin physiology, (c) cultural practices, (d) dietary habits and associated food preparation, (e) climate, (f) predominant occupations, (g) socioeconomic factors, and (h) dissimilar laws and regulations may account for the disparity in the risk of hand eczema among different ethnicities. Given that endogenous factors cannot be avoided, but certain exogenous aspects can be modified, especially as the environment plays an important role in hand eczema flares, it is helpful from a practical perspective to focus on addressing the modifiable risk factors. These factors pertain to unique cultural practices, customs, and food preparation methods. Healthcare professionals should be well-acquainted with such factors to tailor the treatment approach for patients of different ethnicities accordingly because, with globalization, physicians face increasingly diverse patient populations such that cultural customs no longer remain limited to particular geographic regions.

Persulfate-containing consumer products in the United States market

BACKGROUND

Persulfate compounds are reactive oxidative agents increasingly recognized as contact allergens.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify common consumer products containing persulfate compounds in the United States market.

METHODS

Five publicly accessible online ingredient repositories and searches of two large online retailers were used to identify persulfate-containing consumer products.

RESULTS

We identified persulfates in 23 hair coloring products, 11 denture cleansers, 8 pool/hot-tub products, 3 paints, and 3 cleaning products.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians assessing contact dermatitis should be aware of three primary categories of consumer products that contain persulfates: denture cleansers, hair coloring products, and non-chlorine hot-tub and pool shock. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Patch Testing with Ammonium Persulfate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2015-2018

BACKGROUND

Ammonium persulfate (APS), an oxidizing agent used in hair products, manufacturing, and pool/spa water, can cause skin reactions including allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize positive patch test reactions to APS (2.5% pet).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients tested to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) screening series from 2015-2018.

RESULTS

Of 10,526 patients, 193 (1.8%) had positive patch test reactions to APS. Compared to negative patients, APS-positive patients were significantly more likely to be male (43.2% vs. 28.0%, p<0.0001), have primary hand (30.2% vs. 22.0%, p=0.0064), scattered generalized (25.5% vs. 17.9%, p=0.0064), or trunk dermatitis (8.9% vs. 4.9%, p=0.0123), and occupationally-related dermatitis (22.2% vs. 10.9%, p<0.0001). Over half of the APS-positive reactions were currently relevant (57.0%); 19 (9.8%) were related to occupation, especially (68.4%) hairdressers. Swimming pools/spas (23.3%) and hair care products (19.2%) were the most common APS sources.

LIMITATIONS

Immediate reactions and follow-up testing not captured.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients positive to APS was 1.8%. APS positivity was significantly associated with male sex and hand dermatitis. Swimming pool/spa chemicals are important sources of APS exposure.