Hidden formaldehyde in cosmetic products.

BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde is a common cause of contact allergy. Hidden formaldehyde, that is, formaldehyde in products without formaldehyde releasers, has previously been detected in cosmetic products. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the content and causes of hidden formaldehyde in leave-on cosmetic products. METHODS: The formaldehyde release from 142 cosmetic products, primarily creams, was analysed using the chromotropic acid (CA) method. The study included 130 products with no formaldehyde releasers on the ingredient list and 12 products with formaldehyde releasers. Products without formaldehyde releasers positive to CA, that is, with formaldehyde ≥2.5 ppm, were additionally analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Formaldehyde release from selected raw materials and packaging were also investigated. RESULTS: Hidden formaldehyde was found in 23 of the 130 products (18%) without formaldehyde releasers on the ingredient list. The average formaldehyde content was 105 ppm (range: 0.5-507 ppm) in products with hidden formaldehyde and 355 ppm (range: 75-637 ppm) in eight products with formaldehyde releasers, selected for HPLC analysis. Impurities of formaldehyde in dihydroxyacetone may be a cause of hidden formaldehyde in self-tanners. No clear pattern was found for the other products with hidden formaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in regulation are needed to prevent allergic contact dermatitis from hidden formaldehyde in cosmetic products.

Novel insights into contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is a common disease that is caused by repeated skin contact with contact allergens or irritants, resulting in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and/or irritant contact dermatitis. Attempts have been made to identify biomarkers to distinguish irritant and allergic patch test reactions, which could aid diagnosis. Some promising candidates have recently been identified, but verification and validation in clinical cases still need to be done. New causes of ACD are constantly being recognized. In this review, 10 new contact allergens from recent years, several relating to anti-aging products, have been identified. Frequent allergens causing considerable morbidity in the population, such as the preservative methylisothiazolinone, have been regulated in the European Union. A significant drop in the number of cases has been seen, whereas high rates are still occurring in other areas such as North America. Other frequent causes are fragrance allergens, especially the widely used terpenes and acrylates found in medical devices for control of diabetes. These represent unsolved problems. Recent advances in immunology have opened the way for a better understanding of the complexity of contact dermatitis, especially ACD-a disease that may be more heterogenous that previous understood, with several subtypes. With the rapidly evolving molecular understanding of ACD, the potential for development of new drugs for personalized treatment of contact dermatitis is considerable.

Contact allergy to preservatives in patients with occupational contact dermatitis and exposure analysis of preservatives in registered chemical products for occupational use.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to investigate risk factors for sensitization to preservatives and to examine to which extent different preservatives are registered in chemical products for occupational use in Denmark. METHODS: A retrospective epidemiological observational analysis of data from a university hospital was conducted. All patients had occupational contact dermatitis and were consecutively patch tested with 11 preservatives from the European baseline series and extended patch test series during a 5-year period: 2009-2013. Information regarding the same preservatives in chemical products for occupational use ('substances and materials') registered in the Danish Product Register Database (PROBAS) was obtained. RESULTS: The frequency of preservative contact allergy was 14.2% (n = 141) in 995 patients with occupational contact dermatitis. Patients with preservative contact allergy had significantly more frequently facial dermatitis (19.9 versus 13.1%) and age > 40 years (71.6 versus 45.8%) than patients without preservative contact allergy, whereas atopic dermatitis was less frequently observed (12.1 versus 19.8%). Preservative contact allergy was more frequent in painters with occupational contact dermatitis as compared to non-painters with occupational contact dermatitis (p < 0.001). This was mainly caused by contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone and contact allergy to formaldehyde. Analysis of the registered substances and materials in PROBAS revealed that preservatives occurred in several product categories, e.g., 'paints and varnishes', 'cleaning agents', 'cooling agents', and 'polishing agents'. Formaldehyde and isothiazolinones were extensively registered in PROBAS. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive use of formaldehyde and isothiazolinones in chemical products for occupational use may be problematic for the worker. Appropriate legislation, substitution, and employee education should be prioritized.

One thousand cases of severe occupational contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Occupational contact dermatitis is frequent, and further understanding of the epidemiology will improve the basis of its prevention. Objectives. To identify occupations at risk for severe occupational contact dermatitis. METHODS: The last 1000 cases of severe occupational contact dermatitis seen at our department were identified. RESULTS: The study population comprised 618 females and 382 males. The mean age at onset of irritant contact dermatitis was significantly lower than the mean age at onset of allergic contact dermatitis for both sexes, irrespective of the presence of atopic dermatitis. Females at high risk were cooks, butchers, beauticians, bakers, and hairdressers, ranging from 23.3 to 96.8 cases per 10 000 workers per year. Males at high risk were painters, cooks, mechanics, locksmiths, and bakers, ranging from 16.5 to 32.3 cases per 10000 workers per year. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational contact dermatitis remains frequent, even if only severe cases are considered. It is a concern that no effective, systematic interventions and prevention schemes have been launched in Europe, despite documentation of a significant problem over many years, and knowledge of risk occupations and risk factors. This study suggests new approaches for general and specific prevention of occupational contact dermatitis.

[Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose peritoneal tuberculosis].

A 17-year-old man with weight loss, abdominal pain and fever for three months was admitted to the Digestive Disease Centre. Laboratory tests revealed leucocytosis and a low haemoglobin level, and a CT-scan of the abdomen indicated non-specific abscess cavities. Diagnostic laparoscopy was conducted and widespread pale nodules were found throughout the peritoneum. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with peritoneal tuberculosis. This case demonstrates that atypical manifestations of tuberculosis exist in Denmark and that laparoscopy with biopsy can be performed to obtain the diagnosis when suspecting peritoneal tuberculosis.