D2.38 - Occupational Exposure to Propolis: A Rare Cause of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Textile Workers

Background : Propolis is a well-known natural allergen, most commonly associated with cosmetics and apitherapy products. Its potential role as an occupational allergen in industrial settings, particularly in textile manufacturing, remains poorly documented. Our ai mis to report a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by propolis in a textile worker.

Results : The patient was a 33-year-old woman working in a linen spinning company for one year, exposed to a humid work environment with repeated handling of plant-based fibers treated with biocides. She presented with pruritic erythematous-vesicular lesions on the hands, progressing to chronically infected eczema, which improved with treatment and work cessation. Patch testing revealed sensitization to propolis. A follow-up occupational history identified the use of disinfectant products applied to linen fibers containing natural antimicrobial derivatives containing propolis. Avoidance of the exposure tasks led to significant clinical improvement, confirming occupational causality. This case highlights the value of the avoidance–rechallenge test and the need to re-evaluate occupational history in light of patch test results.

Conclusion:The findings highlight the importance of a systematic diagnostic approach for occupational ACD, combining detailed occupational history, patch testing, and avoidance–rechallenge. Such an approach is essential to identify less-recognized allergens like propolis and to implement effective preventive measures.