Composite mix

Mixture of short ether extracts from the flowers of the arnica, chamomile and feverfew as well as from the herb of the rain fern and yarrow (see below) .

• Relevant occupational exposures: It is difficult to demonstrate occupational sensitisation and its distinction from non-occupational exposure and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In general, occupational sensitisation can be considered as predominantly likely in horticultural and floricultural professions, farmers and feed manufacturers containing Asteraceae. For forestry professions and food producers, occupational sensitisation must be ensured by demonstrating a clear temporal relationship between occupational exposure to composites and the time and location of the first symptoms of the disease.
• Allergenic effects: The particular characteristics of composite allergens are their potential to trigger airborne dermatitis, their tendency to develop chronic conditions, their wide distribution in different plant families, to which contact must be avoided if sensitisation is present. The different forms of exposure and manifestation of the composite allergy cause a continuum from "minor" to "severe" effects of an allergy with regard to closed work opportunities. "Minor" in a localized contact reaction to defined composites. "Moderate" for aerogenic contact eczema occurring after intensive and prolonged exposure, which usually occurs only in the high-risk areas of horticulture, agriculture and forestry. "Severe" in the case of the occurrence of aerogenic contact eczema already during shorter stays outdoors or in areas where no above-average occurrence of composites is to be expected.

1. Diepgen TL et al. (2005) Evidence-based assessment of the effect of type IV allergies in the reduction of earning capacity - assessment of occupational skin diseases. Dermatologist 56: 207-223