Fragrances and essential oils

Abstract

This chapter discusses occupational and non-occupational contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from fragrances and essential oils. The following topics are presented for fragrances: The composition of perfumes; Contact with fragrances and fragranced products; Detecting fragrance allergy; Frequency of contact allergy to fragrances (general population, patch test population, fragrances markers in the baseline series, individual fragrances); Clinical picture of allergic contact dermatitis from fragrances; Products causing contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from fragrances; Other fragrance allergens; Occupational allergic contact dermatitis to fragrances. For essential oils, the following topics are discussed: Definition and applications; Chemistry of essential oils; Contact allergy to essential oils; Frequency of contact allergy to essential oils; Clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to essential oils; Clinical picture of allergic contact dermatitis from essential oils; Occupational allergic contact dermatitis to essential oils; The allergens in essential oils; Patch testing with essential oils.