Patch test with ether extracts in salicaceae allergy.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Botany

Background:

• Airborne contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin condition.
• Identifying specific plant allergens is crucial for managing ACD.
• High-altitude environments may present unique allergenic exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to Populus sp. and Salix sp. in patients with suspected ACD.
• To identify specific plant species causing allergic reactions in a high-altitude region.

Main Methods:

• Patch testing was performed on 23 patients with suspected ACD.
• Ether extracts from flowers and leaves of Populus sp. and Salix sp. were used as test antigens.
• The study was conducted in Ladakh at an altitude of 3445 meters.

Main Results:

• Overall positivity to the tested plant extracts was observed in 12 out of 23 cases (52.17%).
• Populus sp. alone elicited a positive reaction in 7 cases (30.43%).
• Salix sp. alone caused a positive reaction in 4 cases (17.39%), and both species reacted in 1 case (8.33%).

Conclusions:

• Populus sp. and Salix sp. are significant causes of airborne contact dermatitis in the studied high-altitude population.
• Patch testing with these plant extracts is valuable for diagnosing ACD in endemic areas.
• Further research into high-altitude plant allergens is warranted.