Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Cigarettes
Cigarettes are widely known to contain potent carcinogens, and their smoke contributes to many chronic and potentially fatal diseases. Cigarettes may also represent an underreported and underrecognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Potential allergens from cigarettes can be found in the filters, paper, and tobacco. This article reviews the current literature on ACD from cigarettes to understand the clinical manifestation of ACD from cigarettes, to recognize components in cigarettes as potential sources of ACD, and to describe how to patch-test patients with suspected ACD from cigarettes. The potential allergens discussed in this article include cocoa, menthol, licorice, colophony, and formaldehyde.
Cigarettes are widely known to contain potent carcinogens, and their smoke contributes to many chronic and potentially fatal diseases. Cigarettes may also be an underreported and underrecognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Potential allergens from cigarettes can be found in the filters, paper, and tobacco. Interestingly, reactions to natural unprocessed tobacco leaf are thought to be rare. ACD from cigarettes has been reported in both occupational and non-occupational settings.
To diagnose ACD from a component of cigarettes, Dawn and colleagues recommended patch-testing smokers who have dermatitis involving the hands, face, and neck. Weary and Wood, Neild, Lovell and White, Kato and colleagues, and Sasaya and colleagues reported cases in which patients presented with dermatitis of unknown origin that was diagnosed as ACD from cigarettes. Cigarettes contain numerous potential allergens, but there are few reports in the literature exploring these allergens.
This article reviews the current literature on ACD from cigarettes to understand the clinical manifestations of ACD from cigarettes, to recognize components in cigarettes as potential sources of ACD, and to describe how to patch-test patients with suspected ACD from cigarettes. The potential allergens discussed include cocoa, menthol, licorice, colophony, and formaldehyde.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Cigarettes are widely known to contain potent carcinogens, and their smoke contributes to many chronic and potentially fatal diseases. Cigarettes may also represent an underreported and underrecognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Potential allergens from cigarettes can be found in the filters, paper, and tobacco. This article reviews the current literature on ACD from cigarettes to understand the clinical manifestation of ACD from cigarettes, to recognize components in cigarettes as potential sources of ACD, and to describe how to patch-test patients with suspected ACD from cigarettes. The potential allergens discussed in this article include cocoa, menthol, licorice, colophony, and formaldehyde.
Introduction
Cigarettes are widely known to contain potent carcinogens, and their smoke contributes to many chronic and potentially fatal diseases. Cigarettes may also be an underreported and underrecognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Potential allergens from cigarettes can be found in the filters, paper, and tobacco. Interestingly, reactions to natural unprocessed tobacco leaf are thought to be rare. ACD from cigarettes has been reported in both occupational and non-occupational settings.
To diagnose ACD from a component of cigarettes, Dawn and colleagues recommended patch-testing smokers who have dermatitis involving the hands, face, and neck. Weary and Wood, Neild, Lovell and White, Kato and colleagues, and Sasaya and colleagues reported cases in which patients presented with dermatitis of unknown origin that was diagnosed as ACD from cigarettes. Cigarettes contain numerous potential allergens, but there are few reports in the literature exploring these allergens.
This article reviews the current literature on ACD from cigarettes to understand the clinical manifestations of ACD from cigarettes, to recognize components in cigarettes as potential sources of ACD, and to describe how to patch-test patients with suspected ACD from cigarettes. The potential allergens discussed include cocoa, menthol, licorice, colophony, and formaldehyde.
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