Is benzyl alcohol a significant contact sensitizer?

Fragrance Contact Allergy - A Review Focusing on Patch Testing

Fragrance materials are widely used in various types of products in daily life and many of them can be contact sensitizers. Contact allergy to fragrances has been reported to be common worldwide. Unlike other groups of contact allergens such as metals and preservatives, fragrance materials in consumer products can be present as single fragrance chemicals or in the form of mixtures known as natural complex substances. Due to the complexity of the fragrance materials and the high number of fragrance substances known to cause contact sensitization, selecting suitable materials for patch testing is challenging. Emerging fragrance markers have been additionally introduced in different baseline series for screening to enhance the rate of fragrance contact allergy detection. Moreover, there have been continual updates on basic knowledge, clinical perspectives, sources of exposure, and regulations on the use of fragrance materials. Avoiding pitfalls while performing patch testing with fragrance test materials is also crucial and should not be overlooked. Therefore, this review aims to update knowledge to provide a high-quality holistic approach to fragrance contact allergy diagnosis and management.

Chemical Transformations of Benzyl Alcohol Caused by Atomic Chlorine

Atomic chlorine present in the polluted troposphere can form potentially carcinogenic compounds as a result of a reaction with a natural product. This paper examines the stability of benzyl alcohol-a natural product commonly found in cosmetics-in interaction with atomic chlorine, which is becoming ever more present in the Earth's atmosphere as a result of its pollution. Research shows that atomic chlorine generated in the gas phase easily penetrates the liquid phase of benzyl alcohol, resulting in the formation of hydrochloric acid. The resulting HCl initiates further transformations of benzyl alcohol. Our study presents the amounts of the reaction products. The quantitative analysis was made using the GC method, and all the products were identified using the GC-MS method. The products include dichloromethyl benzene, 2-chlorobenzyl alcohol, and 3-chlorobenzyl alcohol, which are harmful, but are formed in very small amounts. The harmful substance occurring in a much higher amount is benzyl chloride-that is a product of acidification of benzyl alcohol by HCl.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Pediatric Practice

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is prevalent among pediatric population, adolescent and young adults. Patients with ACD experience a lot of sociopsychological and qualityof- life (QoL) difficulties. Children and their caregivers alike are vulnerable to the burden of ACD.

OBJECTIVES

We have, in this paper, provided an overview of ACD and discussed common and unusual causes of ACD.

METHODS

We performed an up-to-date literature review in the English language on "allergic contact dermatitis" via PubMed Clinical Queries, using the keywords "allergic contact dermatitis" in August 2022. The search included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, casecontrol studies, cohort studies, observational studies, clinical guidelines, case series, case reports, and reviews. The search was restricted to English literature and children.

RESULTS

ACD may be acute or chronic and it affects more than 20% of children and adults with significant quality-of-life impairments. ACD is manifested by varying degrees of cutaneous edema, vesiculation, and erythema. The hypersensitivity reaction is one of the most prevalent forms of immunotoxicity in humans. Localized acute ACD lesions can be managed with high-potency topical steroids; if ACD is severe or extensive, systemic corticosteroid therapy is often required to provide relief within 24 hours. In patients with more severe dermatitis, oral prednisone should be tapered over 2-3 weeks. Rapid discontinuation of corticosteroids can result in rebound dermatitis. Patch testing should be performed if treatment fails and the specific allergen or diagnosis remains unknown.

CONCLUSION

ACD is common and can be a physically, psychologically, and economically burdensome disease. Diagnosis of ACD is primarily based on history (exposure to an allergen) and physical examination (morphology and location of the eruption). Skin patch test can help determine the causative allergen. Allergen avoidance is the cornerstone of management. Topical mid- or highpotency corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for lesions on less than 20% of the body area. Severe cases of ACD may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids.

A Fresh Look at Mouthwashes-What Is Inside and What Is It For?

Mouthwashes are a very popular additional oral hygiene element and there are plenty of individual products, whose compositions are in a state of flux. The aim of our study was to investigate the compositions of mouthwashes and their functions, as well as to discuss their effectiveness in preventing and curing oral diseases and side effects. We searched for mouthwashes available on the market in Poland. We identified 241 individual mouthwash products. The extraction of compositions was performed and functions of the ingredients were assessed. Then, analysis was performed. The evaluation revealed that there are plenty of ingredients, but a typical mouthwash is a water-glycerine mixture and consists of additional sweetener, surfactant, preservative, and some colourant and flavouring agent, as well as usually having two oral health substances, anticaries sodium fluoride and antimicrobial essential oils. The effectiveness or side effects of several substances of mouthwashes were thoroughly discussed. We recommend not multiplying individual mouthwash products and their ingredients beyond medical or pharmaceutical necessity, especially without scientific proof.