Skin reactivity in allergic conjunctivitis

Abstract

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an IgE-mediated mechanism or immediate hypersensitivity due to allergen direct contact on the conjunctival surface of sensitized patients, which elicits mastocyte activation and inflammatory mediators’ release. Up to 47% of patients with allergic conjunctivitis can develop sensitization to perennial allergens; more than 24% of patients can experience sensitization to multiple allergens. Objective: To estimate positive skin reactivity to allergens in patients diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis in the allergology outpatient clinic of Centro de Especialistas Santo Domingo, in Cartagena, Colombia, during 2017. Method: Cross-sectional study of 92 patients aged between 3 and 74 years, included by convenience sampling. Results: 70.65% had positive skin prick tests to at least one allergen. Most common allergens with positive skin reactivity were house dust mites (65.2%), animal epithelia (15.2%), insects (15.2%) and food (14.1%). Allergic rhinitis (51%), allergic asthma (23%) and atopic dermatitis (10%) were the most commonly associated allergic pathologies. Conclusions: Positive skin reactivity to the studied allergens was significantly higher in patients with allergic conjunctivitis and other associated conditions.

Keywords

• conjuntivitis alérgica
• pruebas cutáneas
• alérgenos