Spices contact dermatitis

Kanerva, L., Estlander, T., and Jolanki, R. 1996. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis 35 157-162. 

Niinimaki, A. 1984. Delayed-type allergy to spices. Contact Dermatitis 11 34—40. 

Of about 1000 patients with occupational skin diseases, five had occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices (11). They were chefs or workers in kitchens, coffee rooms, and restaurants. In all cases the dermatitis affected the hands. The causative spices were garlic, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and clove. The same patients had positive patch-test reactions to carrot, lettuce, and tomato. 

Among 55 patients with suspected contact dermatitis, skin patch tests that were positive at concentrations of both 10% and 25% were most common with ginger (n = 7), nutmeg (n = 5), and oregano (n = 4) other spices produced no responses or one positive response (3). Positive... 

Meding, B. 1993. Skin symptoms among workers in a spice factory. Contact Dermat. 29(4) 202-205. 

Anliker, M.D., S. Borelli, and B. Wuthrich. 2002. Occupational protein contact dermatitis from spices in a butcher A new presentation of the mugwort-spice syndrome. Contact Dermat. 46(2) 72-74. 

Kumkum, a turmeric-based paste applied topically, has been associated with cases of dermatitis (Nath and Thappa 2007). Cases of contact urticaria from the compounds curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin have been reported (Fischer and Agner 2004 Lamb and Wilkinson 2003 Liddle et al. 2006 Thompson and Tan 2006). Contact dermatitis with positive patch test for turmeric was reported in a spice shop worker routinely exposed to spice powders (Goh and Ng 1987). Similarly, contact dermatitis was reported in a pasta factory worker exposed to curcumin food coloring (Kiec-Swierczynska and Krecisz 1998). Two cases of contact dermatitis were reported in individuals using a topical ointment containing turmeric. Patch testing of both individuals indicated a sensitivity to both turmeric and curcumin (Hata et al. 1997 Sakurane et al. 1999). 

Among 1000 food service workers that visited a dermatological clinic between 1991 and 1995, five had occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Allspice was confirmed as one of the causative spices (Kanerva et al. 1996). 

Jiang, X., K.M. Williams, W.S. Liauw, et al. 2005. Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. Br.. Clin. Pharmacol. 59(4) 425-432. Kanerva, L., T. Estlander, and R. Jolanki. 1996. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermat. 35(3) 157-162. Kang, S.C., C.M. Lee, H. Choi, et al. 2006. Evaluation of oriental medicinal herbs for estrogenic and antiproliferative activities. Phytother. Res. 20(11) 1017-1019. 

Many spices are plant derived and may cause allergic contact dermatitis. A worker in a foodprocessing plant reacted to carnosol extracted from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) [296]. Sensitivity to spices is covered in more detail in the section entitled Bakers, Chefs and Salad Makers, Sixty spice grinders studied had no allergic skin problems [297], and while I have seen food-processing workers who were allergic to spices, the problem is probably not common. 

Mitchell JC, Fisher AA (1986) Dermatitis due to plants and spices. In Fisher AA (ed) Contact dermatitis. Philadelphia, 110. Lea 8c Febiger... 

Chan EF, Mowad C (1998) Contact dermatitis to foods and 266. spices. Am J Contact Dermat 9 71-79... 

Van den Akker TW, Roesyanto Mahadi ID, Van Toorenen-bergen AW, Van Joost T (1990) Contact allergy to spices. 273. Contact Dermatitis 22 267-272... 

For more than a century, spices have been known to cause contact dermatitis. In the first half of this century, spices were reported as significant causes of allergic contact dermatitis, especially in bakers and confectioners. In addition to delayed-type contact allergies, spices may also cause immediate allergies (Niinim i et al. 1981 Thiel and Fuchs 1981). Although spices are relatively rare causes of occupational dermatitis today (Kanerva et al. 1996), they should be taken into consideration when assessing the hand dermatitis of workers exposed to spices. 

Clinical Picture of Contact Dermatitis from Spices... 

Delayed (type-IV) allergy to spices manifests as classic allergic contact dermatitis. Immediate (type-I) allergy manifests as contact urticaria or protein contact dermatitis. The primary urticarial reactions may be weak and fade rapidly, and may even go unnoticed by the worker her/himself. Instead, protein contact dermatitis develops (Hjorth and Roed-Petersen 1976 Janssens et al. 1995). The dermatitis caused by spices is situated mostly on the palmar sides of the fingers and hands (Niinimaki et al. 1981 Kanerva et al. 1996). In most cases, spices are one among the many aggravating... 

In patch tests, dry powdered spices are put in Finn chambers on a moistened filter paper. The tests are read and interpreted according to the recommendations of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. Garlic, mustard, paprika and cayenne are too irritative to be tested as such (Table 1). Patch tests with other native spices may also elicit irritant reactions (Meding 1993 Niinimaki 1987), and dilution tests may be needed. Patch tests with ethereal oils and pure allergens of spices may also be used (Table 1). 

Workers may be exposed to spices in various occupations where food is handled. Spices may cause both immediate and delayed allergies manifesting as contact urticaria, protein contact dermatitis or clas-... 

Niinim A (1987) Scratch-chamber tests in food handler dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 16 11-20 Niinim i A, Hannuksela M (1981) Immediate skin test reactions to spices. Allergy 36 487-493... 

---