BACKGROUND: Positive patch tests to balsam of Peru (BOP) or fragrance mix (FM) suggest the possibility of systemic @entity5526 from balsam-related foods and spices. OBJECTIVE: This was a retrospective study to determine whether avoidance of balsam-related foods results in an improvement of @entity1909 in these @entity1 . METHODS: A review of the records of all @entity1 seen from July 1 to Dec 31, 1998 with positive patch tests to BOP, FM, @entity7655 , and balsam of tolu was performed 9 to 14 months after their evaluation in a tertiary dermatology center. All @entity1 were contacted via telephone to assess the status of their @entity1909 and whether they were able to note any specific balsam-related @entity5419 . RESULTS: A total of 75 @entity1 were identified, and 71 could be contacted. Fourteen were only allergic to BOP or FM on testing; 31 were positive to BOP/FM and other allergens with presumed relevance to BOP/FM; 26 were positive to BOP/FM and others with other allergens felt to be responsible for the @entity1909 and were not placed on a BOP diet. Excluding this last group, 21 of 45 (47%) had complete or significant improvement that they related to dietary modification. Ten did not modify their diet, with 8 reporting no improvement. Eight improved with fragrance or other allergen avoidance only, and 6 modified their diet unsuccessfully. Most commonly implicated foods included tomatoes, citrus, and spices. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the subjects with positive patch tests to BOP or FM who followed a BOP reduction diet reported significant to complete improvement of their @entity1909 .

Balsam-related systemic XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity5419 :: ('MESH:D005512', 'Disease') :: ['food allergies'] @entity7655 :: ('MESH:C012843', 'Chemical') :: ['cinnamic aldehyde'] @entity5526 :: ('MESH:D003877', 'Disease') :: ['contact dermatitis'] @entity1909 :: ('MESH:D003872', 'Disease') :: ['dermatitis']
@entity5526 :: (MESH:D003877,Disease) :: ['contact dermatitis']
