Oct 11, 2017…….Dr. Jeremiah McClure has recommended another article.
Check out this article about Allergic Contact Dermatitis and its cause…..
The text of the article is here:
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Preservatives
Author(s):
Peter Schalock
Preservatives are ubiquitous in many chemicals and toiletries and are a common cause of acute and chronic allergic contact dermatitis. In one series, up to 50% of patch-tested individuals had at least one reaction to at least one preservative.
•Formaldehyde
Rarely used in topical personal care products, many industrial or workplace exposures.
•Formaldehyde-releasing agents
The most commonly used agents are listed below. These agents release formaldehyde molecules into the product as they degrade. In some cases, the base molecule itself is allergenic, in others the formaldehyde sensitivity is the cause of the reaction.
Quaternium-15
Diazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl urea
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
DMDM hydantoin
•Other preservatives
Isothiazolinones (methylchloroisothiazolinone [MCI] and methylisothiazolinone [MI] most common)
Non-formaldehyde-releasing preservative in cosmetics, frequently used in wash-on/wash-off products, cosmetics, moistened toilet paper, and laundry detergents. AKA: Methylchloroisothiazolinine/Methylisothiazolinone [MCI/MI] (Euxyl® K100 not 400), Grotan K, and many more. MCI/MI was banned in the EU in 2015 in wash off products.
Often in hair care products and wet wipes for adults.
Becoming a very common cause of preservative dermatitis in the US.
Methyldibromoglutaronitrile
Banned by the European Union (EU) in 2007. Use in the United States (US) is rare.
Parabens: Minimally estrogenic. Questioned as cause of breast carcinoma. FDA states that this is “improbable.” Despite this, many individuals question its safety. A rare cause (<1%) of ACD.
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
A halogenated, unsaturated carbamate – questionable cross-reaction with other carbamate rubber accelerators
Broad spectrum coverage-–fungicide/bactericide
Widely used in industry: polymer emulsions/pigments, wood preservatives, metalworking
Ethylenediamine dihydrochloride
Stabilizer in steroid creams and latex rubber, inhibitor in antifreeze/cooling fluids
Entire family of antihistamines based on ethylenediamine molecule; ingestion can cause localized or generalized dermatitis
–hydroxyzine, cetirizine, aminophylline
Cross-reactions: EDTA, antazoline, aminophylline, cetirizine, promethazine, piperazines
Sodium benzoate
In acidic environments (especially vitamin C), degrades to benzene
Bacteriostatic and fungistatic under acidic conditions
Used mostly in acidic foods such as:
salad dressings (vinegar)
carbonated drinks (carbonic acid)
jams and fruit juices (citric acid)
pickles (vinegar)
condiments
On labels as sodium benzoate or E211
Worsens urticaria in 10% to 40% of chronic urticaria patients
Benzyl alcohol
Fragrance, local anesthetic and preservative
Excellent gram positive coverage
Component of cocoa
Triclosan
Phenolic antibacterial. Recently questioned as teratogen, though this is not definitive.
Propylene glycol
Preservative in foods and cosmetics
Topical steroids; added to increase steroid penetration/efficacy
Causes both irritant and allergic dermatitis
Thimerosal
Rarely used in the US and EU. Mercurial preservative. Occasionally still used in vaccines.
⬆Who is at Risk for Developing this Disease?
Anyone using topical products or consuming preserved foods is at risk for developing preservative ACD. Essentially all commercially prepared personal care products (such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions/creams and topical medicaments) use various additives to prevent spoilage due to bacterial/fungal overgrowth. Without these agents, the product will become rancid, usually within 30 to 60 days of preparation. Considering the overall widespread exposure we all have to these chemicals, development of ACD to preservatives is rare, but for those it affects it is a significant problem.
Individuals often will use the same product for years. As opposed to medication allergies, the products one has been exposed to the longest are the greatest suspects. Development of a type IV reaction (sensitization) may occur when the offending product is used on damaged skin (atopic dermatitis, xerosis, skin injuries).
⬆ What is the Cause of the Disease?
Like all other forms of allergic contact dermatitis, this is a type IV delayed type immunologic reaction. For dermatitis to occur, the individual must have prior exposure to the allergen (sensitization). This occurs when the epidermal Langerhans cell or dermal dendritic cell is exposed to the chemical hapten. This is then phagocytized, processed and the cell migrates to the regional lymph node.
The processed hapten is presented to T-cells, thus leading to memory T-cell development. With a subsequent exposure, these memory T-cells start the complex cascade of cutaneous inflammation. Usually this occurs within 24 to 72 hours following re-exposure, thus the “delayed-type” label. These rashy reactions do not occur within minutes, as compared with the type I immediate type histamine-modulated reactions.
⬆ Systemic Implications and Complications
There are no clear systemic implications/complications for cutaneous exposures causing allergic contact dermatitis. Some allergen groups such as the formaldehyde-based and the benzene-based preservatives may be carcinogens. Parabens and triclosan are less clearly problematic, though there is concern.
⬆ Treatment Options
MILD DERMATITIS
Topical therapy is adequate for mild cases. Fluocinolone 0.5% or triamcinolone 0.1% to the involved sites in appropriate amounts will speed healing.
Oral therapy is rarely necessary. Over-the-counter diphenhydramine 12.5 or 25mg by mouth as necessary may be used if pruritus is bothersome.
MODERATE OR SEVERE DERMATITIS
⬆ Topical therapy
For localized, smaller area dermatitis with significant symptoms, clobetasol 0.05% used twice daily until symptoms/dermatitis resolves or for 3 weeks. Widespread dermatitis responds to triamcinolone 0.1% cream used twice daily. When dispensed in a 454g jar, this will provide adequate amounts of medication for a large surface area. Over-the-counter oatmeal baths may be soothing.
⬆ Oral therapy
For widespread, symptomatic dermatitis in amenable individuals, oral prednisone will alleviate symptoms and speed recovery. One tapering dosage regimen is prednisone 10mg tabs by mouth: 6 tabs daily for 4 days, then 4 tabs daily for 4 days, then 2 tabs daily for 4 days, finally 1 tab daily for 4 days. Oral antihistamine agents are useful for sedation when sleep is desired. Hydroxyzine 12.5 to 25 mg by mouth, as necessary up to 4 times daily, is often helpful for symptomatic relief.
Topical antipruritic agents containing diphenhydramine or pramoxine are not recommended due to the risk for development of type IV allergy.
Considering the self-limited nature of these conditions, in most cases, physical modalities such as phototherapy are not necessary. For longer duration chronic dermatitis, possibly caused by topical products, phototherapy may be useful in clearing dermatitis after an allergen has been identified. Surgical therapy for these conditions is not necessary or desired.
⬆ Optimal Therapeutic Approach for this Disease
For all severity of dermatitis from preservatives, topical therapy is preferable for first-line treatment. Topical corticosteroids are safe and effective with appropriate use for self-limited dermatitides such as preservative ACD. For mild disease, oral therapy is rarely warranted. For most, symptomatic relief (decreased pruritus) begins within 6 hours of application of an appropriate strength topical corticosteroid. Often, full resolution of dermatitis will take 1 to 2 weeks.
Severe, widespread and symptomatic cases may require additional oral therapy with antipruritics and corticosteroids in addition to topical therapy. Some symptomatic relief with oral corticosteroids often begins within 6 hours of the first dose. Severe dermatitis may take longer to resolve, but many cases will be clear or nearly clear within 2 weeks. Oral corticosteroids should be carefully used in those with hypertension or diabetes.
⬆ Patient Management
These conditions are self limited in most cases. For most, as-necessary follow-up is all that is required. For suspected preservative dermatitis that you are not able to figure out clinically, consider referral for patch testing.
If the allergen(s) have been identified by patch testing, it is essential that the patient be educated on the chemical names that they would see on a label. Info sheets are available from several sources. Extensive allergen information is available at no cost at: http://www.dormer.com/Allergens/PatientInfoSeriesEng.aspx
The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) offers the Contact Allergen Management Program (CAMP) to its members. The patient’s allergen(s) are entered into the CAMP and it returns an extensive list of products that are safe to use (allergen-free). Access is limited to members of the ACDS.
⬆What is the Evidence?
Rietschel RL, Fowler JF. Preservatives and vehicles in cosmetics and toiletries. In: Rietschel RL, Fowler JF editors. Fisher’s contact dermatitis. Lewiston, NY: BC Decker; 2008. p. 266-318.
(An excellent discussion of all things related to preservative allergic contact dermatitis.)
Lundov, MD, Moesby L, Zachariae C, Johansen JD. Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Derm 2009;60:70-8.
(An interesting discussion of appropriate preservative use.)
Wetter DA, Yiannias JA, Prakash AV, Davis MD, Farmer SA, el-Azhary RA. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: an analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;63:789-98.
(An analysis of patch test results of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group.)
Kasemsarn P, Iamphonrat T, Boonchai W. Risk factors and common contact allergens in facial allergic contact dermatitis patients. Int J Dermatol. 2016 Apr;55(4):417-24.
(Women have facial ACD more often than men. The most common causes are personal care products.)
Sasseville D, Alfalah M, Lacroix JP. “Parabenoia” Debunked, or “Who’s Afraid of Parabens?”. Dermatitis. 2015 Nov-Dec;26(6):254-9.
(Review of the safety of parabens in products.)
Yu SH, Sood A, Taylor JS. Patch Testing for Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone-Methylisothiazolinone Contact Allergy. JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Jan;152(1):67-72.
Please contact the MCC office with questions at 478-273-2262.
