Case report

Scand J Work Environ Health 1999;25(2):151-152    pdf

https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.418 | Issue date: Apr 1999

Repeated hand urticaria due to contact with fishfood

by Harvima RJ, Tuomisto L, Husman T

Background The etiology of urticaria is often difficult to determine. However, in case of repeated circumsance-connected urticaria, the reason may be easily clarifyable.

Case A 51-year-old healthy woman repeatedly experienced occupational hand urticaria when handling fish food. An unexpected reason for the urticaria was found in that the fishfood contained histamine as a "contaminant".

Conclusions In fishfood batches, biological degradation can produce histamine and possibly other toxic substances that can lead to occupational health problems.