Allergic contact dermatitis from benzyl alcohol mimicking acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis

Abstract

products. Readings at D3 and D5 showed positive results to nickel sulfate (+/++), linalool hydroperoxide (À/++), and personal Tamanu oil diluted 5% pet. (+/+++; Figure 2). DISCUSSIONCalophyllum inophyllum is a large, evergreen tree of Africa, South India, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, the Philippines, and Australia. Tamanu oil is a vegetable oil obtained from cold pressing of the fruit and seeds of the C. inophyllum tree. Tamanu oil is used as a cosmetic ingredient under the INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) name Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil. Tamanu oil is also traditionally used to treat different skin and joint diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytoprotective, and wound healing properties. 1 C. inophyllum oil is composed of lipids (about 70%-80%) and of a resinous part (about 15%-20%) containing the main bioactive compounds, such as sterols, coumarins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. 1To the best of our knowledge, there is only one previously published case of ACD to Tamanu oil, the vegetable oil having been bought in Tahiti island. A 53-year-old woman experienced a widespread eczema after application of two Tamanu oils on insect bites, with positive patch test results to the two Tamanu oils at 1% in olive oil. There was a slight degree of photo-worsening, as the photopatch tests with 5 J/cm 2 UVA irradiation were more intense (+/++) than patch tests. 2 Formerly sold mainly in Polynesia, it is now easy to buy Tamanu oil in the West. With the growing use of natural products, clinicians must be aware of the possibility of ACD to Tamanu oil. CONFLICTS OF INTERESTWe declare we do not have any conflicts of interest in relation to this case report.

Occupational contact allergy to benzyl alcohol in epoxy hardeners

“…Dental consumer products are an important cause of allergic contact cheilitis, 1 and stannous (tin) has been occasionally reported as a relevant culprit allergen in this regard. [2][3][4][5] We here present a patient with a delayed diagnosis of allergic contact stomatitis with aphtosis, but without cheilitis, due to tin-containing toothpastes.…”

“…Benzyl alcohol (phenylmethanol, CAS 100-51-6, INCI: Benzyl Alcohol) is an aromatic alcohol commonly used as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, food additive (E1519) and excipient in medicinal products. [1][2][3][4] Despite its widespread use, contact allergy to benzyl alcohol is considered rare. 5 We describe a case where occupational exposure to epoxy hardeners was the probable source of exposure and sensitization to benzyl alcohol.…”

“…Benzyl alcohol (phenylmethanol, CAS 100‐51‐6, INCI: Benzyl Alcohol) is an aromatic alcohol commonly used as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, food additive (E1519) and excipient in medicinal products 1–4 . Despite its widespread use, contact allergy to benzyl alcohol is considered rare 5 .…”