Is it proven that individuals with eczema are more susceptible to epoxy resin sensitisation? If so, where can I find such information

Regards

Nick

If the eczema is currently active then the simple answer is 'yes'! There is plenty of evidence to support this.

As already stated, the skin's barrier properties are compromised, making it easier for the epoxy to penetrate and reach the cells that initiate the sensitisation and potentially subsequent allergy. Actually, it is worse than that as compromised skin will contain more of the relevant cells (Langerhans cells) and more of the chemical (TNFa) that is needed to trigger their response.

So someone with active eczema should not allow their damaged skin to come into contact with epoxies. Note that many gloves do not protect against epoxies, particularly if the mixture contains a solvent.

Chris

Not everyone who has a pre-existing allergy will be atopic. Atopy is a - generally inherited - condition that predisposes to eczema. It is perfectly possible to be non-atopic and still become allergic to a particular sensitiser, e.g. formaldehyde, paraphenylenediamine, or any other of the several thousand substances known to be capable of causing allergic reactions. The fact that sensitisation has occurred does not make that person atopic.

The fact that a person is already sensitised to one particular substance does not indicate that they are particularly at risk of becoming sensitised to any other substance. There are many factors that influence whether someone will become sensitised to a particular substance and we still have no way of predicting who will become sensitised or when.

Incidentally, it is possible to be sensitised (i.e. have an immune system capable of responding with an allergic reaction) but not allergic (i.e. not developing an actual allergic reaction).

Chris