Skin application of glutathione and iron sulfate can inhibit elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis from hexavalent chromium

Bullous Allergic Contact Dermatitis Caused by Potassium Dichromate

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Formation of Dense and High-Aspect-Ratio Iron Oxide Nanowires by Water Vapor-Assisted Thermal Oxidation and Their Cr(VI) Adsorption Properties

Coral-like and nanowire (NW) iron oxide nanostructures were produced at 700 and 800 °C, respectively, through thermal oxidation of iron foils in air- and water vapor-assisted conditions. Water vapor-assisted thermal oxidation at 800 °C for 2 h resulted in the formation of highly crystalline α-Fe₂O₃ NWs with good foil surface coverage, and we propose that their formation was due to a stress-driven surface diffusion mechanism. The Cr(VI) adsorption property of an aqueous solution on α-Fe₂O₃ NWs was also evaluated after a contact time of 90 min. The NWs had a removal efficiency of 97% in a 225 mg/L Cr(VI) solution (pH 2, 25 °C). The kinetic characteristic of the adsorption was fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and isothermal studies indicated that the α-Fe₂O₃ NWs exhibited an adsorption capacity of 66.26 mg/g. We also investigated and postulated a mechanism of the Cr(VI) adsorption in an aqueous solution of α-Fe₂O₃ NWs.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis (CD) is among the most common inflammatory dermatological conditions and includes allergic CD, photoallergic CD, irritant CD, photoirritant CD (also called phototoxic CD) and protein CD. Occupational CD can be of any type and is the most prevalent occupational skin disease. Each CD type is characterized by different immunological mechanisms and/or requisite exposures. Clinical manifestations of CD vary widely and multiple subtypes may occur simultaneously. The diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, thorough exposure assessment and evaluation with techniques such as patch testing and skin-prick testing. Management is based on patient education, avoidance strategies of specific substances, and topical treatments; in severe or recalcitrant cases, which can negatively affect the quality of life of patients, systemic medications may be needed.

Can the Reactivity to Chromate Be Changed in Patch Testing Using a Barrier Cream?

BACKGROUND

The persistent, difficult-to-treat, allergic contact dermatitis from hexavalent chromium in European construction workers has diminished significantly since the legislative measurements that came into force in January 2005. However, sensitization to hexavalent chromium continues to be a problem. Barrier creams have been tried for various allergens with divergent results.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective capacity of barrier cream candidates against hexavalent chromium in a patch test situation.

METHODS

An experimental study was performed to investigate the reductive properties of glutathione and iron sulfate on the patch test reactivity in chromium-allergic individuals when exposed to hexavalent chromium. In this study, we also investigated the protective properties of a commercially available barrier cream.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher number of volunteers (16/18) showed reactions on the skin treated with the commercially available barrier cream, compared with the untreated skin (13/18) on test reading day 3/4 or day 7. The skin treated with petrolatum or Essex cream showed fewer and less prominent allergic reactions than the skin treated with the commercially available barrier cream.