The importance of garlic as a cause of hand eczema has been a matter of debate. Diallyldisulfide is considered as the main allergen in garlic. Twenty two antigens of the modified European standard series and diallyldisulfide of 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%,
0.1% in
petrolatum were patch tested in 44 patients with hand eczema. Diallyldisulfide was also tested in 13 woumen as a control.
@ES The results were summerized as follows.
@EN 1. In patch testing with the European standard series, nickel sulfate (22.7%), cobalt chloride (18.2%), fragrance mix (13.6%), balsam of Peru (9.1%) and thimerosal (6.8%) were the common allergens which showed positive reactions. The overall
positive rate was 59.1% (26/44).
2. 5% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 6 (46.2%) out of 13 controls and in 16 (36.4%) out of 44 patients. 2% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 2/13 (15.4%) in the control group and 6/44 (13.6%) in the patient group.
All 13
controls and 44 patients were negativ in tests with diallydisulfide of 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%. Our results indicate that patch testing with diallyldisulfide of 1% petrolatum is recommended in order to avoid an irritant reaction when contact allergy to
garlic is
suspected.
3. Garlic is suspected as an irritant in provoking hand eczema. True contact allergy to garlic in hand eczema seems to be rare. (Kor J Dermatol 1992;30(2) : 197-201)
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