Research Summary
Aluminium, the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust, was long considered virtually innocuous to humans but has gained importance in the recent past. Aluminium is ubiquitous in the environment, with various sources of exposure such as cosmetics, the food industry, occupational industries, the medical field, transport, and electronics. It finds utility in dermatology as an effective haemostatic agent, anti-perspirant, and astringent.
Aluminium plays a pivotal role in wound healing, calciphylaxis, photodynamic therapy, and vaccine immunotherapy. It also holds diagnostic importance in Finn chamber patch testing and confocal microscopy. Additionally, the metal finds significance in cosmetic procedures like microdermabrasion and as a component of the Nd:YAG laser.
It is crucial to explore the allergic properties of aluminium, including its involvement in contact dermatitis and vaccine granulomas. The controversial role of aluminium in breast cancer and breast cysts requires further evaluation through more studies.
Keywords: Allergen, alum, alumina, aluminium.
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