Oral Presentations Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Atopy

Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Atopy Mark G. Kirchhof and Gillian C. de Gannes Author Affiliations: Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia; Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada Atopy is a genetic predisposition to the development of allergic reactions and the increased production of IgE upon exposure to environmental antigens. Clinical manifestations of atopy include asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ACR). We hypothesized that the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) would be higher among patients with a history of atopy and with a familial predisposition to atopy. For this study, we reviewed the patch test database of the UBC Contact Dermatitis Clinic from 2008 to 2012. A personal history of asthma, AD and ACR was recorded. In addition, a family history was obtained and manifestations of atopy in family members were noted. Our data show that the odds ratio (OR) of a positive patch test with a personal history of atopy was 1.39, while the OR of a positive patch test with a family history of atopy was 1.69. Patients with a personal history of atopy also reacted to greater number of allergens than patients with no history of atopy. We conclude from our study that patients with a personal or family history of atopy have an increased risk of ACD and that atopic patients react to a greater number of allergens. These results provide further evidence for the link between atopy and ACD.