Comparison of nickel patch test reactivity in phases of the menstrual cycle

In earlier studies, it has been shown that severity of some diseases varies with menstrual cycle. Severity of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, infections due to herpes virus, urticaria and acne were also reported to increase in the premenstrual phase. Effect of estradiol on the cellular immune system was investigated and it was found to depress the cellular immune response. In our study, we investigated whether nickel patch test reactivity was different during phases of the menstrual cycle and whether there was an increase in sensitivity to nickel during the premenstrual cycle in nickel-sensitive women.

The study consisted of 30 women who had a history of nickel sensitivity. Finn Chamber nickel patch test was applied to all 30 women by dividing them into two groups of 15 and applying the test first on days 7-10 and then on days 20-24 of the menstrual cycle or vice versa.

The reactions of both the groups on days 20-24 were more severe than those on days 7-10 even though the results were not statistically significant.

Estrogens not only impair the skin barrier but also have a negative impact on the immune system. Estradiol has been proved to suppress cellular immunity. In a few studies conducted to date, the relationship between phases of the menstrual cycle and the severity of patch test reactivity has been examined with equivocal results. In our study, we observed that the presence of reactions due to nickel sensitivity was independent of the phases of the menstrual cycle. Nevertheless, we would like to point out the fact that the reactions seen in the second phase of the menstrual cycle were more severe than those seen in the first phase.