Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Protein Contact Dermatitis

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Contact Dermatitis

Abstract

Protein contact with the skin can be associated with two major clinical conditions: immunological contact urticaria (ICU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD), the latter being discussed here, in particular. This chapter reviews the pathogenesis, clinical pictures, and the causal proteins, most of which are responsible for occupation-related skin problems, i.e., fruits, vegetables, spices, plants and woods, animal proteins, grains, and enzymes. Moreover, in view of the popularity of the use of natural ingredients in cosmetics nowadays, sensitizations to proteins (or derivatives), which sometimes even lead to food intolerance afterward, are increasingly being reported in the literature and will be covered as well.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 849.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hjorth N, Roed-Petersen J (1976) Occupational protein contact dermatitis in food handlers. Contact Derm 2:28–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Janssens V, Morren M, Dooms-Goossens A, Degreef H (1995) Protein contact dermatitis: myth or reality? Br J Dermatol 132:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Doutre M (2005) Occupational contac urticaria and protein contact dermatitis. Eur J Dermatol 15:419–424

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Vester L, Thyssen JP, Menné T, Johansen JD (2012) Occupational food-related hand dermatoses seen over a 10-year period. Contact Derm 66:264–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Amaro C, Goossens A (2008) Immunological occupational contact urticaria and contact dermatitis from proteins: a review. Contact Derm 58:67–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gimenez-Arnau A, Maurer M, De La Cuadra J, Maibach H (2010) Immediate contact skin reactions, an update of contact Urticaria, contact Urticaria syndrome and protein contact dermatitis – “a never ending story”. Eur J Dermatol 20:552–562. https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2010.1049

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Barbaud A, Poreaux C, Penven E, Waton J (2015) Occupational protein contact dermatitis. Eur J Dermatol 25:527–534. https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2015.2593

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Verhulst L, Goossens A (2016) Cosmetic components causing contact urticaria: a review and update. Contact Derm 75:333–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12679

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Lukács J, Schliemann S, Elsner P (2016) Occupational contact urticaria caused by food - a systematic clinical review. Contact Derm 75:195–204. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bauer A, Schubert S, Geier J, Mahler V (2018) Type IV contact allergies in the food processing industry: an update. Hautarzt 69:443–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Tosti A, Guerra L, Morelli R, Bardazzi F, Fanti R (1992) Role of foods in the pathogenesis of chronic paronychia. J Am Acad Dermatol 27:706–710

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kanerva L (2000) Occupational protein contact dermatitis and paronychia from natural rubber latex. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 14:504–506

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Vester L, Thyssen JP, Menné T, Johansen JD (2012) Consequences of occupational food-related hand dermatoses with a focus on protein contact dermatitis. Contact Derm 67:328–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Morren M, Janssens V, Dooms-Goossens A, Hoeyveld E, Cornelis A, De Wolf-Peeters C, Heremans A (1993) α-Amylase, a flour additive: an important cause of protein contact dermatitis in bakers. J Am Acad Dermatol 29:723–728

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Willi R, Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, Buters JTM, Zilker T, Behrendt H, Ring J, Darsow U (2009) Contact anaphylaxis and protein contact dermatitis in a cook handling chicory leaves. Contact Derm 60:226–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Helaskoski E, Suojalehto H, Kuuliala O, Aalto-Korte K (2017) Occupational contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis: causes and concomitant airway diseases. Contact Derm 77:390–396. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12856

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Inomata N, Nagashima M, Hakuta A, Aihara M (2015) Food allergy preceded by contact urticaria due to the same food: involvement of epicutaneous sensitization in food allergy. Allergol Int 64:73–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alit.2014.08.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chinuki Y, Kaneko S, Sakieda K, Murata S, Yoshida Y, Morita E (2011) A case of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis sensitized with hydrolysed wheat protein in a soap. Contact Derm 65:55–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Doyen V, Leduc V, Corazza F, Mairesse M, Ledent C, Michel O (2013) Protein contact dermatitis and food allergy to mare milk. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 110:390–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2013.02.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Peeters C, Herman A, Baeck M (2017) Donkey’s milk allergy. Br J Dermatol 177:1760–1761

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Zahradnik E, Sander I, Brüning T, Raulf M (2015) Allergen levels in the hair of different cattle breeds. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 167:9–15. https://doi.org/10.1159/000431227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kishimoto I, Kambe N, Nguyen CTH, Matsuda T, Nomura Y, Uetsu N, Okamoto H (2017) Protein contact dermatitis induced by cabbage with recurrent symptoms after oral intake. J Dermatol 44:e252–e253. https://doi.org/10.1111/1346-8138.13922

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rojas Pérez-Ezquerra P, Sánchez-Morillas L, Davila-Ferandez G, Ruiz-Hornillos FJ, Carrasco García I, Herranz Mañas M, Laguna Martínez JJ, Bartolomé B (2015) Contact urticaria to Cannabis sativa due to a lipid transfer protein (LTP). Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 4:231–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aller.2013.10.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. González de Olano D, Subiza JL, Civantos E (2009) Cutaneous allergy to cotton. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 102:263–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60096-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Alikhan A, Chan HP, Maibach HI (2009) Produce-induced contact urticaria and dermatitis: Solanaceae and Alliaceae. Contact Derm 60:174–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01466.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Arochena L, Gámez C, del Pozo V, Fernández-Nieto M (2012) Cutaneous allergy at the supermarket. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 22:441–442

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Verhulst L, Kerre S, Goossens A (2016) The unsuspected power of mare’s milk. Contact Derm 74:376–377. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Rocha J, Pereira T, Sousa-Basto A, Brito C (2010) Occupational protein contact dermatitis: two case reports. Case Rep Med. pii: 489627. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/489627

  29. García-Loria J, Rodriguez-Pérez R, Iglesias A, Moneo I, Caballero ML (2011) Contact angioedema and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Dendrobaena species and Sarcophaga carnaria used as fishing bait. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 21:305–309

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Granslo JT, Van Do T, Aasen TB, Irgens A, Florvaag E (2009) Occupational allergy to Artemia fish fry feed in aquaculture. Occup Med (Lond) 59:243–248. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqp041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Shimojo N, Yagami A, Nakamura M, Nagai A, Matsunaga K (2017) Occupational fish allergy caused by percutaneous sensitization with α-actinin-3. Contact Derm 76:322–323. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. McFarland SL, Hylwa SA, Warshaw EM (2015) Protein contact dermatitis to pig semen. Dermatitis 26:239–240. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Calogiuri G, Nettis E, DiLeo E, Foti C, Vacca A (2015) Is the localized seminal plasma hypersensitivity the mucosal aspect of protein contact dermatitis? J Allergy Clin Immunol 135:1090–1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.11.041

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Makatsori M, Scadding GW, Skypala I, Durham SR (2014) Silk contact anaphylaxis. Contact Derm 71:314–315. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Vandevenne A, Morren MA, Goossens A (2015) Immunological contact urticaria caused by a silk shirt in an atopic patient. Contact Derm 72:240–241. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Splingard B (2008) A new case of face eczema: the ferret. Contact Derm 58(suppl):74

    Google Scholar 

  37. Amsler E, Bayrou O, Pecquet C, Francès C (2012) Five cases of contact dermatitis to a trendy pet. Dermatology 224:292–294. https://doi.org/10.1159/000338890

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chessa MA, Vincenzi C, Leuzzi M, Piraccini BM, La Placa M (2017) Protein contact dermatitis to suet. Dermatitis 28:288–289. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.000000000000029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Bregnbak D, Friis UF, Zachariae C, Menné T, Johansen JD (2014) Protein contact dermatitis caused by worms and insects used to feed exotic birds. Contact Derm 7:64–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Tammaro A, Narcisi A, De Marco G, Persechino S (2012) Cutaneous hypersensitivity to gluten. Dermatitis 23(5):220–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. van Kampen V, Brüning T, Merget R (2016) Occupational allergies to trypsin and chymotrypsin. Pneumologie 70:442–445. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-106509

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Davies E, Orton D (2009) Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis to chapatti flour. Contact Derm 60:113–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Matsuo H, Uemura M, Yorozuya M, Adachi A, Morita E (2010) Identification of IgE-reactive proteins in patients with wheat protein contact dermatitis. Contact Derm 63:23–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2010.01741.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wagner S, Bublin M, Hafner C, Kopp T, Allwardt D, Seifert U, Arif SA, Scheiner O, Breiteneder H (2007) Generation of allergen-enriched protein fractions of hevea brasiliensis latex for in vitro and in vivo diagnosis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 143:246–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Hannuksela M (2006) Contact dermatitis, 4th edn. Springer, Berlin, pp 345–348

    Book  Google Scholar 

  46. Boussault P, Léauté-Labrèze C, Saubusse E, Maurice-Tison S, Perromat M, Roul S, Sarrat A, Taïeb A, Boralevi F (2007) Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors. Allergy 62:1251–1256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Goujon-Henry C, Hennino A, Nicolas J-F (2008) Do we have to recommend not using oat-containing emollients in children with atopic dermatitis? Letter to the editor. Allergy 63:781–782

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Chinuki Y, Takahashi H, Dekio I, Kaneko S, Tokuda R, Nagao M, Fujisawa T, Morita E (2013) Higher allergenicity of high molecular weight hydrolysed wheat protein in cosmetics for percutaneous sensitization. Contact Derm 68:86–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Nakamura M, Yagami A, Hara K, Sano-Nagai A, Kobayashi T, Matsunaga K (2016) Evaluation of the cross-reactivity of antigens in Glupearl 19S and other hydrolysed wheat proteins in cosmetics. Contact Derm 74:346–352. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12551

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Delaunay J, Hacard F, Denery-Papini S, Garnier L, Bérard F, Nicolas JF, Nosbaum A (2018) Occupational immediate contact allergy to hydrolysed wheat protein after cosmetic exposure. Contact Derm 78:291–292. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Coenraads PJ (2015) Revision of the opinion on hydrolysed wheat proteins – sensitisation only. Scientific committee SCCS. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 73:668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.08.004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Coenraads PJ (2016) Sensitization potential of hydrolysed wheat proteins. Contact Derm 74:321–322. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Sano A, Yagami A, Suzuki K, Iwata Y, Kobayashi T, Arima M, Kondo Y, Yoshikawa T, Matsunaga K (2015) Two cases of occupational contact Urticaria caused by percutaneous sensitization to Parvalbumin. Case Rep Dermatol 7:227–232. https://doi.org/10.1159/000439080

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Thyssen JP (2012) The association between filaggrin mutations, hand eczema and contact dermatitis: a clear picture is emerging. Br J Dermatol 167:1197–1198. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12075

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Niinimäki A (1987) Scratch-chamber tests in food handler dermatitis. Contact Derm 16:11–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. González-Muñoz M, Gómez M, Alday E, del Castillo A, Moneo I (2007) Occupational protein contact dermatitis to chicken meat studied by flow cytometry. Contact Derm 57:62–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Contact Allergy Unit, University Hospital, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium

    An Goossens

  2. Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Lisbon, Portugal

    Cristina Amaro

  3. Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany

    Vera Mahler

Authors
  1. An Goossens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cristina Amaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vera Mahler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to An Goossens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy National Allergy Research Centre Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jeanne Duus Johansen

  2. Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany

    Vera Mahler

  3. Laboratoire de Dermatochimie, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France

    Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin

  4. Professor emeritus Formerly Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter J. Frosch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Goossens, A., Amaro, C., Mahler, V. (2021). Protein Contact Dermatitis. In: Johansen, J.D., Mahler, V., Lepoittevin, JP., Frosch, P.J. (eds) Contact Dermatitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36335-2_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36335-2_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-36334-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-36335-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation