Acquired Specific Supersensitivity (Allergy) to Simple Chemicals

Abstract

Experimental allergic sensitization of the human skin by the application of simple chemicals of known structure has been reported by several authors (1, 5). Among the advantages of such experiments are the following: The allergens are of definite, known chemical constitution and concentrations, and are therefore free of all the varying, unknown constituents and contaminants that inevitably accompany allergens from natural sources (so-called proteins and other allergens of animal, vegetable, bacterial, or fungous origin). Hence, as far as the allergens are concerned, the conditions of the experiment are exactly reproducible at any time and at any place. This circumstance makes experiments with simple chemicals particularly suitable for the study of factors that may influence the host's susceptibility to sensitization.The allergens are externally applied to the grossly normal skin: thus, the disturbing influence of trauma (injection, scarification, etc.), is excluded.