Contact dermatitis formaldehyde

The substance may penetrate the skin and cause allergic contact dermatitis (formaldehyde, nickel, phthalic anhydride)... 

The formation of peroxides and formaldehyde in the high-purity polyoxyethylene surfactants in toiletries has been shown to lead to contact dermatitis [31], Peroxides in hydrogenated castor oil can cause autoxidation of miconazole [32], Oxidative decomposition of the polyoxyethylene chains occurs at elevated temperature, leading to the formation of ethylene glycol, which may then be oxidized to formaldehyde. When polyethylene glycol and poloxamer were used to prepare solid dispersions of bendroflumethiazide, a potent, lipophilic diuretic drug, the drug reacted with the formaldehyde to produce hydroflumethiazide [33],... 

The most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis in the United States include plants (poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac), metallic salts, organic dyes, plastic resins, rubber additives, and germicides.74 The most common skin patch test allergens found to be positive in patients along with potential sources of exposure are shown in Table 32.1.75 In patients with occupational contact dermatitis who were skin patch tested, the common allergens included carba mix, thiuram mix, formaldehyde, epoxy resin, and nickel.76... 

Formaldehyde is one of the most common causes of occupational skin disease the major effects of formaldehyde on the skin are irritant dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis results from direct injury to the skin and is characterized by redness and thickening of the affected areas. In more severe cases there may be blistering, scaling, and the formation of fissures. 

Contact with the bryozoan Alcyonidium gelatinosum gives rise to Dogger Bank itch , an allergic contact dermatitis. The causative agent is (2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylsulfoxonium ion (1). Synthesis of 1 was achieved by base-catalysed condensation of trimethylsulfoxonium chloride and formaldehyde [26]. 

Another problem of a seemingly unrelated nature is the formaldehyde emission from building boards that are currently manufactured using urea-formaldehyde adhesive resins. Formaldehyde has been implicated as a carcinogen and can also cause severe upper respiratory problems and contact dermatitis in some individuals (3-5). 

Aldehydes such as formaldehyde, glyoxal, and glutaral (glutaraldehyde) are used as solutions and vapours for disinfection and sterilization. They are irritating and sensitizing and cause contact dermatitis in health-care workers (SEDA-21, 254). 

Allergic dermatitis has been demonstrated from direct skin contact and from exposure to gaseous formaldehyde in the air. Various forms of reaction occur, from simple erythema to maculopapular lesions, hyperesthesia, and angioedema. Five patients developed an allergic contact dermatitis to plaster casts, caused by free formaldehyde released by a melamine-formaldehyde resin incorporated in the plaster. 

Trattner A, Johansen JD, Menne T. Formaldehyde concentration in diagnostic patch testmg comparison of 1% with 2%. Contact Dermatitis 1998 38(1) 9-13. 

Preservatives are important causes of allergic contact dermatitis in cosmetics. In a 10-year analysis in 16 centers in 11 countries, 73 818 consecutive patients were patch-tested for the preservatives listed above. There were several cases of contact allergy to formaldehyde and MCI/MI. These preservatives are currently avoided in cosmetics. However, the frequency of positive reactions to MDBGN has risen, from 0.7% in 1991 to 3.5% in 2000. The authors suggested that the concentration of this preservative should be reduced in leave-on cosmetic products (1). 

Fransway AF, Schmitz NA. The problem of preservation in the 1990s. II. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing biocides Incidence of cross-reactivity and the significance of the positive response to formaldehyde. Am J Contact Dermatitis 1991 2 78-88. 

The toxicity of formaldehyde is related to its metabolic products and, as a result, individual variability in metabolism will determine toxic outcomes. Human ingestion of 118 ml of formaldehyde was fatal in some cases but not others. Systemic acidosis may appear upon ingestion along with corrosion and hemorrhaging of the digestive tract. Allergic sensitization may occur after exposure. This may lead to contact dermatitis after subsequent skin exposure, as well as asthmatic attack upon inhalation exposure. Inhalation may also result in irritation of the respiratory tract and pulmonary edema. 

Glutaraldehyde Formaldehyde Slight Moderate pH 8 Respiratory complaints and contact dermatitis reported Eyes, sensitivity OES 0.2 ppm/0.7 mg/m3, 10 min only Respiratory distress, dermatitis MEL 2ppm/2.5 mg/m3, 10 min and 8 h Non-corrosive, useful for heat-sensitive instruments Use in well-ventilated area. Gloves, goggles and apron worn for preparation... 

Bergh Magnusson K, Nissson JL, Karlberg AT. Formation of formaldehyde and peroxides by air oxidation of high purity polyoxyethylene surfactants. Contact Dermatitis 1998 39(1) 14020. 

Gorski et al. (1992) investigated the correlation between formaldehyde-induced contact dermatitis and granulocyte chemiluminescence resulting from free-radical release in healthy and formaldehyde-sensitive patients. Thirteen patients with contact dermatitis who were occupationally exposed to formaldehyde and five healthy volunteers participated in the study. All subjects underwent skin-prick tests for common allergens as well as a histamine inhalation provocation test. Subjects were exposed to 0.5 mg/m ... 

Ancona-Alayon A, Jimenez-Castilla JL, Gomez-Alvarez EM. 1976. Dermatitis from epoxy resin and formaldehyde in shampoo packers. Contact Dermatitis 2 356-364. 

Bruze M. 1988. Patch testing with a mixture of 2 phenol-formaldehyde resins. Contact Dermatitis 19 116-119. 

Bruze M, Almgren G. 1988. Occupational dermatoses in workers exposed to resins based on phenol and formaldehyde. Contact Dermatitis 19 272-277. 

Cronin E. 1991. Formaldehyde is a significant allergen in women with hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis 25 276-282. 

Estlander T, Jolanki R, Kanerva L, et al. 1990. An artist s allergy to reactive dyes and formaldehyde [Abstract]. Contact Dermatitis 23 271-272. 

Flyvholm M-A, Hall BM, Agner T, et al. 1997. Threshold for occluded formaldehyde patch test in formaldehyde-sensitive patients Relationship to repeated open application test with a product containing formaldehyde releaser. Contact Dermatitis 36 26-33. 

Fowler JF, Skinner SM, Belsito DV. 1992. Allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde resins in permanent press clothing An underdiagnosed cause of generalized dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 27 962-968. 

---