FS11.6 Contact dermatitis to Iris in a florist

Objective:  To detect a possible allergen in a florist with occupational dermatitis. Patient and methods: a 27-year-old atopic female working in a greenhouse since 10 years presented with a 3 months history of severe eczema involving hands, face, eyelids and neck requiring a stop of the work. Tests were performed with European standard series (Trolab®), additional series, plant series, (Chemotechnique Diagnostics®) and flowers. Readings were performed at D2 and D3 according ICDRG criteria. Results: positive patch tests were parabens +/+ nickel sulphate ++/++ cobalt chloride −/++ palladium chloride ++/++ thiomersal ++/++, Iris petal ++/+. Then various colours of Iris were tested and pale blue, yellow and white petals were positive ++/++ but purple blue petal was negative. The proximal yellow part of purple blue petal and orange part of yellow petal were also positive ++/++. The leaf and pistil of Iris were negative. One control with a white Iris petal was negative. Then the patient presented flare up of her dermatitis in the presence of Iris, at home, without handling them, that could make suspect an airborne contact dermatitis. Even after examination by a botanist, the precise identificaton of these Iris was not possible. Positive patch tests to unspecified Iris (petal and leaf) have already been reported in a florist who was allergic to safflower (Van der Willigen A.H. and al, Contact Dermatitis, 1987, 17,184). Conclusion: this case could evoke the responsibility of anthocyans, which play a role in the colours, but essential oils or other components are also possible responsibles.