Contact allergy in Swedish professional ice hockey players

Abstract

Background: Professional ice hockey players may contract irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

Aims: To investigate the presence of contact allergy (CA) in professional ice hockey players in Sweden.

Methods: Ten teams from the two top leagues were assessed for potential occupational exposure to sensitizers. Exactly 107 players were patch tested with an extended baseline series and a working series, in total 74 test preparations. The CA rates were compared between the ice hockey players and controls from the general population and dermatitis patients.

Results: One out of 4 players had at least one contact allergy. The most common sensitizers were Amerchol L 101, nickel and oxidized limonene. CA was as common in the ice hockey players as in dermatitis patients and significantly more common than in the general population. Fragrances and combined sensitizers in cosmetic products (fragrances + preservatives + emulsifier) were significantly more common in ice hockey players compared with the general population.

Conclusion: The possible relationship between CA to fragrances and cosmetic products on the one hand and the presence of dermatitis on the other should be explored further.

Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; delayed hypersensitivity; dermatitis controls; general population; patch testing; professional athletes; working series.