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Published on: June 4, 2017
Gold allergy in North America
Summary
Gold allergy affects 9.5% of patients, particularly women, causing dermatitis on hands, face, and eyelids. This study highlights gold as a common allergen, often co-occurring with nickel and cobalt sensitivities.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Contact dermatitis is a common skin condition.
- Gold allergy prevalence was previously underestimated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of allergic reactions to gold.
- To identify demographic and clinical associations with gold allergy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of patch test results from 12 North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) centers.
- Gold sodium thiosulfate (0.5% in petrolatum) was used as a test allergen.
- 4,101 patients with suspected contact dermatitis were tested.
Main Results:
- 9.5% (388/4,101) of patients showed a positive patch test reaction to gold.
- Gold allergy was significantly more prevalent in women (90.2% of positive cases).
- Common dermatitis sites included hands (29.6%), face (19.3%), and eyelids (7.5%).
- Co-existing allergies to nickel (33.5%) and cobalt (18.3%) were frequent in gold-allergic individuals.
Conclusions:
- Gold allergy is more common than previously thought.
- Gold hypersensitivity is linked to female gender and allergies to nickel and cobalt.
- Gold may be a significant cause of facial and eyelid dermatitis.
