Allergy to oil of turpentine in Portugal

Abstract

Oil of turpentine is still a common allergen in Portugal although it does not contain delta 3-carene, as ascertained by gas chromatography. Patch tests with 6 terpenes on 22 patients revealed that 17 were allergic to alpha-pinene and 15 to dipentene; 12 were allergic to both. 4 patients were sensitive to delta 3-carene, 3 to alpha-terpineol and 2 to beta-pinene. These results explain the incidence of allergy to oil of turpentine in Portugal.