ALPHA-AMYLASE, A FLOUR ADDITIVE - AN IMPORTANT CAUSE OF PROTEIN CONTACT-DERMATITIS IN BAKERS

Background: Alpha-Amylase, an enzyme commonly used in flour additives, has been reported to be an important cause of rhinitis and asthma in bakers. Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether this enzyme could also cause dermatitis. We tested it routinely in bakers with hand eczema. Methods: Patch tests were administered with the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group standard series and a bakery series and scratch-chamber or prick tests were performed with the bakers' own material and with alpha-amylase powder. Results. Of 32 bakers tested, seven had an immediate wheal-and-flare reaction and two also had a delayed eczematous reaction. High dilutions of the a-amylase powder still gave strong reactions. Conclusion: Alpha-Amylase is an important cause of skin reactions in bakers and should be tested routinely if a contact allergy is suspected.