Propolis and the immune system: a review.

Propolis (bee glue) is the resinous substance that bees collect from living plants for the construction and adaptation of their nests. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and may have a wide range of other beneficial biological activities. Propolis is available as a dietary supplement, in products for the protection of health and prevention of diseases, in biopharmaceuticals, and as a constituent of (bio)cosmetics. In this article, the following aspects of propolis are reviewed: the nature and chemical composition, its biological properties and applications, contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis (sensitizing potential, products causing contact allergy, clinical picture, frequency of sensitization, coreactivity and cross-reactivity, the allergens in propolis), and other adverse effects.

Propolis: a review of properties, applications, chemical composition, contact allergy, and other adverse effects.

Potential role of propolis in wound healing: Biological properties and therapeutic activities.

Background. Preservatives and fragrances are important and frequent skin sensitizers, found in a wide range of products intended for personal and occupational use.

Objectives. To examine the use of preservatives and fragrances in certain cosmetics and detergents on the market. The product types studied were shampoos, hair conditioners, liquid soaps, wet tissues, washing-up liquids, and multi-purpose cleaners.

Materials/methods. Ingredient labels of 204 cosmetic products and ingredient data sheets of 97 detergents, available on company websites, were examined.

Results. The preservatives most frequently identified were phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, sodium benzoate, propylparaben, and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone. Parabens were found in 44% of cosmetics and 9% of detergents; formaldehyde-releasers in 25% of cosmetics and 8% of detergents; and isothiazolinones in 23% of cosmetics and 28% of detergents. The fragrances most frequently identified were linalool, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, butylphenyl methylpropional, and citronellol. Eighty-eight per cent of the products contained fragrances, and any of the 26 fragrances requiring labelling were found in half of the cosmetics and one-third of the detergents.

Conclusions. Several preservatives and fragrances with well-known skin-sensitizing potential were common in the examined product types. Such products may be used several times a day by consumers and workers.

Preservatives and fragrances in selected consumer-available cosmetics and detergents.

The Compositae (Asteraceae) family of plants is currently an important cause of allergic plant contact dermatitis in Europe. The family comprises some of the oldest and most valued medicinal plants, and the increasing popularity of herbal medicine and cosmetics may theoretically result in a growing number of Compositae sensitizations from these sources. According to the literature at least 15 species, including among others arnica (Arnica montana), German and Roman chamomile (Chamomilla recutita and Chamaemelum nobile), marigold (Calendula officinalis), Echinacea and elecampane (Inula helenium), have been suspected of sensitization or elicitation of Compositae dermatitis. Epidemiological data are available for 2 species only, arnica and German chamomile, the rest of the evidence being anecdotal. Based on this, sensitization seems to occur relatively frequently with a few species such as arnica and elecampane, and occurs rarely with the majority, especially the widely used German chamomile. Sesquiterpene lactones are the most important allergens, but there are a few cases of sensitization from a coumarin, a sesquiterpene alcohol and a thiophene. The risk of elicitation of dermatitis by using Compositae-containing products in Compositae-sensitive individuals is by-and-large unknown.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.470401.x

Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics.

Background: Household cleaning products often contain potential allergens and irritants but allergic contact dermatitis from these products in general consumers is rarely reported in the literature.



Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of irritants and allergens as indicated on the labels or on the product information found on the website of household cleaning products marketed in Italy.



Material/Methods: We examined the labels and the product information of 291 liquid household washing and cleaning products, including 43 washing-up liquids, 63 laundry detergents, 61 fabric conditioners, 47 spray detergents, and 77 hard surface cleaning products. We obtained the data from the product information found on the websites for 263 products and directly on the product packages for 28 products. For each product we specifically recorded the presence of surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances listed in Annex III of Directive 76/768/EEC.



Results: The websites of two Italian brands do not respect EU regulations as they provide product information only with bar codes of the products. Preservatives and fragrances are the main allergens declared in the label of household cleaning products with methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) listed in 35.7% and limonene in 43.6% of the products. Surfactants were listed in 16.5% of the studied products.



Conclusions: Our study shows that household cleaning products in Italian market contain several allergens, particularly preservatives and fragrances. For consumers, at least in Italy, it may not be easy to retrieve product information from the website for two widely sold brands. The information had to be taken from the actual package.

Contact allergens and irritants in household washing and cleaning products.

Contact dermatitis caused by sesquiterpene lactones.

Moist toilet papers, also known as baby wipes, are commonly used for cleaning the perianal skin after a diaper change. The utilization of moist toilet papers is increasing, also among adults, for personal hygiene in the perianal area. Their composition is typically a pulp (paper) and polymer (e.g. polypropylene or polyester) fabric in a solution of water, glycerine or propylene glycol; buffering and wetting agents; preservatives; and, often, fragrances. In addition, some contain botanicals and vitamin E derivates. Few studies have been published on baby wipes, and results of a series of 4 clinical studies demonstrated that disposable baby wipes were mild to the skin (1). Nevertheless, it was pointed out that there is clearly a potential for allergic reactions to their components (2). In order to identify some possible allergens, we reviewed the literature, using Medline and by extensive manual searching through the Science Citation Index and bibliography of the identified articles. We also analysed 23 types of baby wipes, distributed in Italy, for the presence of known allergens.

Moist toilet papers as possible sensitizers: review of the literature and evaluation of commercial products in Italy.

A 27-year-old man presented with a history of acne after beginning his research for the graduate dissertation in a chemical laboratory. His work involved manipulation of o-dichlorobenzene once a day and no contact with any other chemical substances except acetone. 3 months after starting this work, he had begun to show initial manifestations of acne and had then accidental hand contact with o-dichlorobenzene because of a broken vial. Soon after this episode, acne symptoms worsened, prompting him to seek medical advice. On examination, there were open comedones and straw-coloured cysts on the cheeks and malar crescent. No lesions were apparent on the forehead, the neck or the chest. Blood tests were normal and there was no evidence of other diseases. The patient was removed from further exposure, treated with systemic antibiotic therapy, and after 3 months showed evident improvement. In order to help confirm the role of o-dichlorobenzene exposure, passive diffusion samplers (Radiello, Aquaria, Milano, Italy) were placed in the laboratory for the duration of the work shift, desorbed with CS2 and then analysed by means of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. O-dichlorobenzene present in the air was in the range of 0.8–2.2 p.p.b., that is hundreds of times lower than the ACGIH TLVTWA of 25 p.p.m.

Contact dermatitis due to topical cosmetic use of vitamin K.

Contact dermatitis in psoriasis due to propolis

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