intradermal test with vitamin K1 might be done, although caution
Background: KRAK Study is a Polish multi-centre patch test study
is warranted not to sensitize the patient.
utilizing the new Polish Baseline Series (introduced in June 2010),which basically consists of European Baseline Series supplemented
Conflicts of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts.
with two frequent and relevant sensitizers palladium and propolis. Objectives: To analyse KRAK Study patch test results with the new
Polish Baseline Series. Methods: Eleven participating dermatology and allergy centres Allergic contact dermatitis to benzoyl peroxide
submitted data of patients tested to the Polish Baseline Series
within topical acne treatments
(Chemotechnique Diagnostics) from June 2010 until October
JDL Williams1, S Felton1, A Weidmann1 and D Orton2
Results: Altogether, 624 patients (475 women and 149 men aged Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK and
0 to 85, median 36 years) were patch tested in participating centres. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Amersham, UK
At least one positive reaction was recorded in 370 patients (59.3%).
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a recognized cause of allergic contact
In 255 patients (40.9%), at least one positive test was deemed
dermatitis (ACD). We report two patients presenting with florid
clinically relevant (higher rates in children and adolescents: 65.4%
facial dermatitis secondary to BPO in topical acne treatments.Case 1.
and 46.5%, respectively). The top 16 sensitizers were nickel (33.5%
A 20-year old patient was admitted to hospital with acute onset facial
positive; 24.7% deemed clinically relevant), cobalt (16.2% and 8.3%,
erythema and oedema 2 weeks after commencing topical treatment
respectively), chromium (14.7%; 7.1%), palladium (11.4%; 4.2%),
with Duac gel (5% BPO and 1% clindamycin phosphate) for facial
paraphenylenediamine (7.4%; 3.8%), balsam of Peru (6.6%; 2.7%),
acne. Patch testing was performed to our hospital standard battery,
fragrance mix I (6.3%; 3.4%), propolis (4.6%; 1.4%), fragrance mix II
the face series, parts of the plant series and other relevant allergens
(3.4%; 1.6%), neomycin (3.4%; 1.0%), wool alcohols (2.6%; 1.4%),
appropriately applied in Finn chambers on Scanpor (Epitest).
colophonium (2.4%; 1.6%), lyral (2.4%; 1.1%) MI/MCI 0.01% (2.1%;
There were positive reactions to BPO (++,D4) and Duac 10%
1.6%), paraben mix and primin (each 1.9%; 1.1%). Noteworthy, the
in aqueous solution (+++,D4). (Preliminary testing to Duac 5%
two additions to the Polish Baseline Series – palladium and propolis
occupied ranks 4 and 8, respectively. Also interestingly, 10 patients
Case 2. A 42-year old lady developed intense irritation, erythema
(1.6%) reacted to palladium, but not nickel, suggesting that under
and scaling whilst using Duac gel and Quinoderm cream (10%
modern environmental exposures palladium is not just a mere
BPO) topically for facial acne. Prior to dermatological assessment
cross-reactivity to nickel, as commonly believed.
she had performed ‘home patch testing’ to Quinoderm on her
Conclusions: Polish patients are most frequently sensitized to
forearm which was ‘positive’. She reported similar reactions
metals and cosmetic ingredients. Natural remedies containing
previously to sunscreen products, certain cosmetics and fabric
balsam of Peru and propolis should be avoided because of high
sticking plasters. Patch testing was performed to the standard
sensitization rates. Our results confirm that palladium and propolis
series, cosmetic series, sunscreens with photopatch testing, BPO
are frequent sensitizers and are important additions to the baseline
(1% pet) and to both Duac gel and Quinoderm cream. There
were positive reactions to BPO (++,D4), Duac (++,D4) and
Conflicts of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts.
Quinoderm (++,D4) in addition to colophonium (+,D4) andphenyl salicylate (+,D4). There are few reports of BPO in topical acnepreparations causing ACD. Given the increased use of such acne
treatments and the availability of Quinoderm over-the-counter,we seek to highlight this source of exposure and the severity of
Evaluation of a tertiary prevention program
reactions. Given that patients may be warned that such topical
for occupational skin diseases
treatments can cause skin irritation, they may mistakenly believe
R Brans1, SM John1, C Skudlik1, E Weisshaar2, R Scheidt2,
that the early symptoms of ACD are attributable to an irritant
P Elsner3, B Wulfhorst1, M Sch ¨onfeld4 and TL Diepgen2
effect and so continue their usage until reactions becomes more
1University of Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany, 2University ofHeidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany, 3Friedrich Schiller University,Conflicts of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts. Jena, Germany, and 4Clinic for Occupational Diseases of the VBG,Bad Reichenhall, GermanyBackground: Occupational skin diseases (OSD) have been leading Krak: first multi-centre study of the new polish
among occupational diseases in industrialized countries for years. Contact dermatitis (CD) is the most common OSD. In Germany,
baseline series
an interdisciplinary integrated (inpatient/outpatient) rehabilitation
R Spiewak1, A Gregorius1, E Grubska-Suchanek2, A Cisowska3,
program consisting of an intensified dermatological treatment,
K Jedrzejewska-Jurga4, M Pasnicki5, A Krakowski5,
health education and psychological intervention is offered for severe
M Cendrowska-Pinkosz6, P Sznelewski7 and R Olszanski8
cases of OSD as a tertiary individual prevention measure since 1994
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College,Krakow, Poland, 2Medical University, Gdansk, Poland,Objectives: Evaluation of this interdisciplinary tertiary prevention
3Dermatology Practice, Kamienna Gora, Poland, 4Regional Centre
program in a large cohort of patients with severe OSD. of Occupational Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland, 5NZOZMethods: In 2005 a prospective cohort multicentre study was Allergicus-Dent, Zary, Poland, 6Medical Centre ‘Alergologia’,
initiated. 1788 patients with severe OSD (93.4% CD) were recruited
Lublin, Poland, 7Military Medical Institute, Warszawa, Poland, and
until 2009 in five participating centres. Regular follow-ups of these
8Dermatology and Allergy Practice, Gdynia, Poland
patients for up to 5 years have been scheduled.
2012 The Authors Contact Dermatitis 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S, 66 (Suppl. 2), 54–65
Tactical Combat Casualty Care Guidelines November 2009 * All changes to the guidelines made since those published in the 2006 Sixth Edition of the PHTLS Manual are shown in bold text . The new material on burns is in red text. Basic Management Plan for Care Under Fire 1. Return fire and take cover. 2. Direct or expect casualty to remain engaged as a combatant if a
Quantum physics and human consciousness: The status of the current debate. The Open Polytechnic Working Papers are a series of peer-reviewed academic and professionalpapers published in order to stimulate discussion and comment. Many Papers are works inprogress and feedback is therefore welcomed. This work may be cited as: Jackson, P. Quantum physics and human consciousness: The status of t