Abstract :
Airborne contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic dermatoses predominantly affecting exposed parts of the
body and caused by allergens/irritants present in the atmosphere. The agents commonly responsible for
this type of dermatitis are either the plants or the industrial agents. This study was carried out on patients
with a clinical picture and history consistent with air born contact dermatitis (ABCD) due to exposure to
Parthenium hysterophorus (parthenium weed), chrysanthemum, xanthium who were patch tested.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Department of Rural-Cum-Industrial
Skin & Health Institute, Dasna, Ghaziabad District, New Delhi. A total of 100 patients suspected to be
suffering from ABCD included. A detailed clinical history, cutaneous and systemic examination was done.
All patients were patch tested for allergens (parthenium hysterophorus, chrysanthemum, xanthium). Patch
test was carried out for Parthenium, Chrysanthemum and Xanthium. All 100 suspected patients were patch
tested with dried leaves and flowers of plants, and with standard battery of antigen consisting mainly of
antigens for Parthenium, chrysanthemum and xanthium. Patients were instructed to avoid wetting the site,
exercise, rubbing and scratching for 96 hours.
Results : In the present study, out of 100 patients 94 patients showed positive reaction to either parthenium,
chrysanthemum or xanthium plant antigens. While 6 did not show positive reaction to any plant antigens. In
this study, majority of the patients were belongs to geriatric age group and from urban areas. In our study,
82 patients tested positive for Parthenium, 9 patients tested positive for Chrysanthenum, 3 for Xanthium
and 6 for other chemicals. In addition to this, 10 patients were atopics and others skin condition was normal.
14 (14%) patients had previous history of drug intake in the form of Hospitalization (Non-steroidal Antiinflammatory
Drugs), chronic illness, following accidents. 15% showed good hygiene and 85% showed
poor Hygiene.
Conclusion: The present study, 82 patients tested positive for Parthenium, 9 patients tested positive for
Chrysanthenum, 3 for Xanthium and 6 for other chemicals. Parthenium dermatitis may changes to mixed
pattern or chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD). Parthenium dermatitis may be common once.
Keyword :
Air Borne Contact Dermatitis, Chrysanthemum, Chronic actinic dermatitis, Parthenium, Xanthium.