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Prevalence of Contact Allergy to Propolis-Testing With Different Propolis Patch Test Materials
Annarita Antelmi1, Ilaria Trave2, Rosella Gallo2
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Contact Dermatitis
|March 2, 2025
Summary
Contact allergy to propolis is uncommon in Europe, with Brazilian propolis showing a higher prevalence of reaction than Chinese propolis in Italian patients. Chinese propolis demonstrated a low prevalence of contact allergy in both Italian and Swedish dermatitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Propolis, a bee-derived resin, has a variable composition influenced by local flora.
- Contact dermatitis is a known adverse reaction to propolis in cosmetics and supplements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of contact allergy to propolis in European dermatology clinics.
- To compare allergic reactions to propolis from different geographical origins.
Main Methods:
- Patch testing of adult dermatitis patients with propolis (10% in petrolatum) from China and Brazil.
- Study conducted in Genova, Italy, and Malmö, Sweden, between February and July 2023.
Main Results:
- In Italy, 6.2% of patients reacted to propolis: 5.1% to Brazilian, 0.4% to Chinese, and 0.8% to both.
- In Sweden, 0.9% of patients reacted to Chinese propolis.
- A significant difference in reaction rates was noted between Brazilian and Chinese propolis in Italian patients.
Conclusions:
- Contact allergy to propolis, particularly from China, appears to be low in European dermatitis patients.
- Brazilian propolis elicited a higher allergic response in the Italian cohort compared to Chinese propolis.
