Increase in sensitization to oil of turpentine: recent data from a Multicenter Study on 45,005 patients from the German-Austrian Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK)

Contact allergy to oil of turpentine was reported to have become rare. Howe ver, the evaluation of standardized data of 45,005 patients tested 1992-199 7 in 30 Dermatological Centers associated with the German-Austrian Informat ion Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) showed an increase in posi tive patch test reactions to turpentine from 0.5% during the years 1992-199 5, up to 1.7% in 1996 and 3.1% in 1997. In particular, 17,347 patients test ed in 1996-1997 were evaluated in detail by comparing 431 individuals with positive patch test reactions with the rest of the group found negative to turpentine. Using the so-called MOAHLFA index, the following characteristic s were shown. Turpentine allergy (a) was found to be significantly less fre quent in men and in patients with occupational dermatitis, (b) showed no di fference in its association with atopic dermatitis, (c) patients with turpe ntine allergy had significantly less symptoms of the hands, more symptoms o f the legs or in the face and (d) were significantly more often aged over 6 0 years. Also, patients sensitized to turpentine had increased rates of add itional sensitizations. The definite reason for the increase in turpentine sensitization in the population tested here is not clear. Therefore, a deta iled exposure analysis is necessary; the new increase in turpentine allergi es may be due to popular topical remedies or household chemicals.