From 15 May to 15 December 1994, 2943 patients suspected of having contact dermatitis (1955 women, 988 men) were patch tested with methyldibromoglutaronitrile 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.05% pet. 119 patients (4.0%; women 4.1%), men 3.8%) proved to be allergic. 71% of the reactions were considered to be relevant. In 2/3 of the patients, causative products were cosmetics, in 1/3 moistened toilet tissues. Testing with methyldibromoglutaronitrile at lower concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) and with commercial allergens (Euxyl® K 400 and methyldibromoglutaronitrile, both containing methyldibromoglutaronitrile 0.1 % >), resulted in a number of false-negative reactions. All preserv atives in the European standard series had lower scores than the 4% positive reactions to methyldi bromoglutaronitrile (formaldehyde 2.0%), MCI/MI (Kathon® CG) 3.2%, parabens 1.0%o, quaternium-15 1.3%). It is concluded that methyldibromoglutaronitrile (present in the commercial pre servative Euxyl® K 400) is an important contact allergen in the Netherlands in cosmetics and moistened toilet tissues. It should be added to cosmetics series and to proctological series. The optimal test concentration is unknow, but may be 0.3% pet. The concentration o f 0.1% methyldi bromoglutaronitrile in the currently available commercial allergens appears to be too low, resulting in a number of false-negative reactions.

No abstract

To determine whether the prevalence of allergic reactions to certain preservatives warrants their inclusion in a routine series for patch testing, a tray of 14 preservatives was tested in 501 consecutive suspected contact dermatitis patients. More than 1% positive reactions were found with DMDM hydantoin, Kathon CG, and alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride only. The concentration of alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (0.1% aqua) was considered too high. Of 6 patients reacting to the formaldehyde releaser DMDM hydantoin, 4 were positive to formaldehyde. Kathon CG may be an important allergen in the Netherlands, and it is worthwhile for dermatologists there to add it to the standard test series. The recent inclusion of quaternium-15 in the ICDRG standard series appears to be of little value to them.

Tinea capitis is a common skin infection that should be considered in any type of scalp lesion. It requires systemic treatment, and inappropriate and delayed treatment can result in the development of kerion celsi, with sometimes devastating consequences.

No abstract