Fragrances are among the most common contact sensitizers. Changes in exposure lead to subsequent changes of sensitization incidence; patterns of exposure may be reflected in certain surrogate markers such as affected anatomical site or occupation. The objective of this study was to provide current results on sensitization prevalences to the fragrance allergy screening markers of the patch test baseline series, on time trends and on risk factors associated with sensitization. Data of all patients tested between 1999 and 2012 with fragrance mix I (8% petrolatum (pet.) n=130325), fragrance mix II (14% pet., since 2005, n=81290), Myroxylon pereirae resin (25% pet., n=130258) and oil of turpentine (10% pet., n=131595), respectively, in the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK, ) were subject to descriptive and log-binomial regression analysis. Overall, 16.31% of patients had a positive patch test reaction to at least one of the four markers. The prevalence to each of the four single markers was 8.71, 4.87, 8.36 and 1.95%. A peculiar downward trend of FM I until around 2006/2007 with subsequent increase, both significant, was noted. Mostly, sensitization risk was higher in older patients and females, and was to a varying extent associated with certain anatomical sites. The mostly stable or even increasing time trends warrant further in-depth research into causative exposures, addressing the effectiveness of (self-) regulation, aggregate exposure and cocktail effect'. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
