Synonyms
Contact dermatitis; Urticaria
Definition
Proteins that penetrate through the skin can elicit two forms of allergic reactions. If they are bound by IgE antibodies on mast cells, a localized immediate-type allergic reaction can occur. Sensitized people typically develop pruritic hives about 20–30 min after skin contact with the allergen. In case of additional systemic symptoms like asthma or anaphylaxis, one speaks of contact urticaria syndrome. In addition, proteins can also induce a cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction after skin contact, called protein contact dermatitis. This occurs either in conjunction with contact urticaria, after the urticarial reaction has subsided, or independently of it. The protein allergens are different kinds of food (like vegetables, meat, fish, seafood), animal dander, or natural rubber latex.
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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Pfützner, W. (2014). Contact Urticaria and Protein Contact Dermatitis (to Asparagus, Cow’s Hair, Seafood, Etc.). In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_456
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_456
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