Maternal paraben exposure triggers childhood overweight development.

Parabens are preservatives widely used in consumer products including cosmetics and food. Whether low-dose paraben exposure may cause adverse health effects has been discussed controversially in recent years. Here we investigate the effect of prenatal paraben exposure on childhood overweight by combining epidemiological data from a mother-child cohort with experimental approaches. Mothers reporting the use of paraben-containing cosmetic products have elevated urinary paraben concentrations. For butyl paraben (BuP) a positive association is observed to overweight within the first eight years of life with a stronger trend in girls. Consistently, maternal BuP exposure of mice induces a higher food intake and weight gain in female offspring. The effect is accompanied by an epigenetic modification in the neuronal Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) enhancer 1 leading to a reduced hypothalamic POMC expression. Here we report that maternal paraben exposure may contribute to childhood overweight development by altered POMC-mediated neuronal appetite regulation.

Allergenic Ingredients in Facial Wet Wipes.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis commonly occurs on the face. Facial cleansing wipes may be an underrecognized source of allergens. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of potentially allergenic ingredients in facial wet wipes. METHODS: Ingredient lists from name brand and generic facial wipes from 4 large retailers were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 178 facial wipes examined, a total of 485 ingredients were identified (average, 16.7 ingredients per wipe). Excluding botanicals, the top 15 potentially allergenic ingredients were glycerin (64.0%), fragrance (63.5%), phenoxyethanol (53.9%), citric acid (51.1%), disodium EDTA (44.4%), sorbic acid derivatives (39.3%), tocopherol derivatives (38.8%), polyethylene glycol derivatives (32.6%), glyceryl stearate (31.5%), sodium citrate (29.8%), glucosides (27.5%), cetearyl alcohol (25.8%), propylene glycol (25.3%), sodium benzoate (24.2%), and ceteareth-20 (23.6%)/parabens (23.6%). Of note, methylisothiazolinone (2.2%) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (1.1%) were uncommon. The top potential allergens of botanical origin included Aloe barbadensis (41.0%), chamomile extracts (27.0%), tea extracts (21.3%), Cucumis sativus (20.2%), and Hamamelis virginiana (10.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Many potential allergens are present in facial wet wipes, including fragrances, preservatives, botanicals, glucosides, and propylene glycol.

Potential Allergens in Disposable Diaper Wipes, Topical Diaper Preparations, and Disposable Diapers: Under-recognized Etiology of Pediatric Perineal Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis in young children may be an under-recognized cause of perineal dermatitis. The diapered infant skin is uniquely susceptible to allergic contact dermatitis because of more permeable neonatal skin, a moist environment, frequent contact with irritants and resultant skin barrier breakdown, and exposure to topical products such as diaper wipes, diaper preparations, and disposable diapers. To our knowledge, potential allergens in these products have not been thoroughly catalogued or studied. OBJECTIVE: We explore and review potential allergenic ingredients in diaper wipes, topical diaper preparations, and disposable diapers. METHOD: We analyzed 63 diaper wipes, 41 topical diaper preparations, and the 3 top selling diaper brands available from two of the largest retailers in the United States. Each potential allergen is discussed, and epidemiologic studies of rates of sensitization to potential allergens in children are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Botanical extracts, including members of the Compositae family, were the most commonly represented potential allergen in both diaper wipes and topical preparations. Other potential allergens identified with high frequency include α-tocopherol, fragrances, propylene glycol, parabens, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, and lanolin. Frequent culprits such as formaldehyde releasers and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone were not prevalent in our analyzed products.

Câncer de mama e cosméticos / Breast cancer and cosmetics

Algumas substâncias estão ligadas à carcinogênese, como por exemplo, os estrógenos e outras substâncias químicas com propriedades estrogênicas (xenoestrógenos), que estão associados ao câncer de mama. Entre os componentes dos cosméticos, os principais xenoestrógenos são sais de alumínio (presentes em antiperspirantes), triclosan (desodorantes, sabonetes íntimos, deocolônias e conservantes), fragrâncias sintéticas e parabenos (conservantes). Eles apresentam atividade desreguladora (disruptora) hormonal, atuam em receptores de estrógenos e estimulam o crescimento de células de câncer de mama. Muitos têm efeito cumulativo. A partir da década de 1990, começou a haver maior conscientização do consumo de cosméticos, buscando produtos mais seguros para o ser humano e para o planeta, baseados em substâncias naturais de cultivo ecologicamente correto, dentro da biodiversidade regional e livre de agentes potencialmente tóxicos. Isso estimulou uma adequação da indústria e a produção de cosméticos segundo esses conceitos, os chamados cosméticos naturais, cosméticos orgânicos ou biocosméticos.(AU)

Some substances are related to carcinogenesis, for example, estrogens and other compounds with estrogenic properties (xenoestrogens), which are associated with breast cancer. Among the cosmetic components, the main xenoestrogens are aluminum salts (present in antiperspirants), triclosan (deodorants, preservatives, soaps, toilet water), synthetic fragrances and parabens (preservatives). They have hormone disrupting activity, acting on estrogen receptors and stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells. Many of them have cumulative effect. From the 1990s, there has been more consciousness of cosmetics consumption, seeking safer products for humans and for the planet, based on natural substances of environment-friendly farming, within the regional biodiversity and free of potentially toxic agents. It has stimulated an adaptation of industry and the production of cosmetics according to these concepts, the so-called natural cosmetics, organic cosmetics or biocosmetics.(AU)

[Severe allergic reaction due to a rectal enema]. / Réaction allergique sévère suite à un lavement.

Allergic drug reactions must always be considered when prescribing treatment, even in frequent pediatric problems such as acute abdominal pain due to constipation. We describe an original case of anaphylactic shock due to the administration of hypertonic rectal enema in a child. A 9-year-old child admitted to the emergency department for an acute complaint of abdominal pain related to constipation received an administration of a hypertonic rectal enema to allow the passage of stools. Afterwards, the child presented a life-threatening episode, requiring emergency treatment with transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit, suggesting an anaphylactic shock. The absence of any other drug or food intake, the chronology of events, and favorable outcome after treatment led to the diagnosis of a probable allergy to methylparaben, sodium parahydroxybenzoate, present as the excipient in the rectal enema. Anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic reaction, setting in rapidly, which may lead to fatal outcome. Most reactions to parabens reported concern, almost exclusively, the cutaneous application of paraben-containing topical preparations. The present observation underscores the original and undescribed risk of an allergic general reaction following the rectal administration of parabens. The indications of any prescription must be carefully observed and potential drug contraindications, considering the patient's history of allergy, should be sought.

Non-fragrance allergens in specific cosmetic products.

OBJECTIVES: Reports about the nature of the ingredients responsible for allergic contact dermatitis caused by specific cosmetic products are scarce. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2010, the specific cosmetic products having caused allergic contact dermatitis, as well as the individual allergenic cosmetic ingredients present in them, were recorded by use of a standardized form. RESULTS: Among 11 different categories of cosmetic product, skin care products, followed by hair care and body-cleansing products, were most often involved. The presence of the allergenic ingredient(s) in a specific cosmetic product was confirmed according to the ingredient label in 959 of 1448 records. Six hundred and twenty-one of 959 concerned non-fragrance components, preservatives being responsible for 58% of them. Reactions to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers were most often correlated with body-cleansing products, particularly 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol and skin care products. They were followed by the methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone mixture, most frequently found as allergens in hair care and intimate hygiene products, and facial cleansers (in the last category together with diazolidinyl urea). Octocrylene was by far the most frequent (photo)allergen in sun care products. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on the presence and frequency of allergens in specific causal cosmetic products.

Retinal vascular occlusion after vitrectomy with retrobulbar anesthesia-observational case series and survey of literature.

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative loss of vision has been occasionally reported as a rare complication of retrobulbar anesthesia, and several possible causes have been proposed in the literature. In this work, our own and other investigators' experiences with these complications are surveyed with a view to identifying its pathophysiology. PATIENTS: This observational case series refers to six patients who presented during a 3-month period with occlusion of either the central artery itself (n = 3) or a branch thereof (n = 3) 2-14 days after uneventful vitreoretinal surgery following retrobulbar anesthesia with a commercial preparation of mepivacaine (1% Scandicain®, Astra Chemicals, Sweden) containing methyl- and propyl parahydroxybenzoate as preservatives. RESULTS: Three of the patients carried risk factors, which were medically controlled. In three individuals, vasoocclusion was observed after a second vitreoretinal intervention, which was performed 3-12 months after uneventful primary surgery. Good visual recovery was observed in only one instance. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who were anesthetized with preservative-free mepivacaine, no vasoocclusion occurred. In individuals who were anesthetized with mepivacaine containing the preservatives methyl- and propyl parahydroxybenzoate, a tenfold increase in the incidence of eyes requiring re-operation was documented, with a 2- to 14-day lapse in the onset of vasoocclusion. These findings reveal a possible implication of preservatives contained in the local anesthetic solution for the vasoocclusive events. Due to this potential hazard, the use of preservative-free preparations of local anesthesia in ocular surgery is emphasized in order to prevent this sight-threatening complication.

Common misconceptions in contact dermatitis counseling.

Both physicians and patients hold many misconceptions when it comes to allergen avoidance. Ten commonly held misconceptions are exposed, allowing more accurate approach to the individual with cutaneous allergies.

Parabens toxicity to skin and other organs.

Laser and Cosmetic News covers the latest advances in laser surgery, light technology, phototherapy, and cosmetic surgery. New and emerging therapies, noteworthy publications, and exciting meeting developments will be highlighted. Controversies and opinions about the future in this field will be addressed. The aim of this column is to keep you abreast of the cutting edge in laser and cosmetic surgery.

Environmental oestrogens, cosmetics and breast cancer.

The established role of oestrogen in the development and progression of breast cancer raises questions concerning a potential contribution from the many chemicals in the environment which can enter the human breast and which have oestrogenic activity. A range of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls possess oestrogen-mimicking properties and have been measured in human breast adipose tissue and in human milk. These enter the breast from varied environmental contamination of food, water and air, and due to their lipophilic properties can accumulate in breast fat. However, it is emerging that the breast is also exposed to a range of oestrogenic chemicals applied as cosmetics to the underarm and breast area. These cosmetics are left on the skin in the appropriate area, allowing a more direct dermal absorption route for breast exposure to oestrogenic chemicals and allowing absorbed chemicals to escape systemic metabolism. This review considers evidence in support of a functional role for the combined interactions of cosmetic chemicals with environmental oestrogens, pharmacological oestrogens, phyto-oestrogens and physiological oestrogens in the rising incidence of breast cancer.

Hypersensitivity reactions after barium enema examination.

Three patients who developed urticaria shortly after air-contrast barium enema studies of the colon are described. Only a single similar instance was found in the literature. One of the patients had a positive prick skin test to methylparaben, which was the preservative in the barium mixture used and, therefore, is presumed to be the responsible allergen.

Severe allergic reaction: an unusual complication of barium enema.

This article describes a severe allergic reaction to a barium sulfate compound used during double-contrast colon examination. This unusual complication is probably induced by chemical agents used as additives in the commercially available barium preparations. The pertinent literature is briefly reviewed.