Enzymes irritant dermatitis

Plants may induce mechanical irritant dermatitis from delicate hairs called trichromes or hairs with tiny barbs known as glochids. Sabra dermatitis is an irritant dermatitis seen in workers who pick the fruit of prickly pears, which have small barbed bristles (Evans and Schmidt 1980). The awns of barley and other cereal grasses may cause mechanical occupational dermatitis (Evans and Schmidt 1980). Dieffenbachia (Stoner and Rasmussen 1983), daffodil (Narcissus) and hyacinth (Hyacintus) are plants with fine, needle-shaped calcium-oxalate crystals (Evans and Schmidt 1980). The irritation caused by these plants is thought to be induced both by the mechanical action of the oxalate crystal and subsequent penetration of a plant enzyme or toxin into the skin (Epstein 1990). Irritant plants have been reviewed recently by Lovell (1996). Tiny... 

Irritant dermatitis from pineapples, apparently from bromelain, was reported more than four decades ago (Polunin 1951). After the introduction of enzyme-containing washing powders, there was much concern about possible dermatological effects among users. These effects were regarded as irritative, caused by non-enzymatic ingredients (Jensen 1970 McMurrain... 

Exposure to naphthalene can cause a severe hemolytic crisis in some individuals with a genetically linked metabolic defect associated with insufficient activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in red blood cells.10 Effects include anemia and marked reductions in red cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Contact of naphthalene with skin can result in skin irritation or severe dermatitis in sensitized individuals. In addition to the hemolytic effects just noted, both inhalation and ingestion of naphthalene can cause headaches, confusion, and vomiting. Kidney failure is usually the ultimate cause of death in cases of fatal poisonings. 

Okra Hibiscus esculentus) may cause either irritant or allergic contact dermatitis [179]. The irritant component may be due to proteolytic activity [180]. Field workers harvesting okra develop a pruritic eruption shortly after starting to pick okra, and continued exposure leads to fissures and flattening of the finger ridges. The presentation has been compared with that of pineapple workers exposed to the proteolytic enzyme bromelain. 

In the early days of biodetergent manufacture, some workers exposed to protease dust suffered from allergic reactions in the respiratory path [96-98] or from primary skin irritations [99-101]. Cases of occupational dermatitis can be found in the literature respiratory disease and minor skin irritation around facial mask, and cutaneous changes on hand and face [98,101,102]. These hazards practically led to the ban of enzymes in the United States in 1969-1970. Because of their large contribution to the cleaning process, considerable attention has been paid by enzyme suppliers and the detergent industry to solve the problem. 

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