Colophony: Rosin in Unmodified and Modified Form

Allergic contact dermatitis and diabetes medical devices: 2 clinical cases

“…It is commonly used, in both unmodified and modified forms, as a fast‐acting adhesive for industrial, medical or other commercial uses. Although the skin‐sensitizing and skin‐irritant effects of colophonium are well known, the actual allergens have not yet all been characterized . Moreover, its constituents are difficult to identify, as they vary with climate and with extraction and storage methods .…”

Oxidation products and the skin – the effect of hydroperoxides

“…Already in the 1950s, it was concluded that hydroperoxides were the dominating haptens in a natural mixture, when Δ3‐carene hydroperoxide was identified as the most probable major hapten in Scandinavian turpentine . Furthermore, in the 1980s, hydroperoxides of abietic acid and dehydroabietic acid were shown to be the major haptens in colophonium (rosin) . Since the 1990s, the skin‐sensitizing activity of hydroperoxides from various fragrance monoterpenes has been investigated both experimentally and clinically, and it has been repeatedly established that the hydroperoxides are allergenic (in contrast to hydrogen peroxide, which is non‐sensitizing) .…”

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by colophonium

“…8050‐09‐7) is a solid resin obtained from coniferous trees, mostly pines. Major industrial applications of colophonium in unmodified and modified form include the manufacture of printing ink and adhesives, and paper sizing . Colophonium is common in our surroundings, as it is used in various products and applications such as: the adhesives of tapes, plasters, and dressings; polishes; tall oil soap; and some cosmetic products.…”

“…Colophonium is common in our surroundings, as it is used in various products and applications such as: the adhesives of tapes, plasters, and dressings; polishes; tall oil soap; and some cosmetic products. It may also be present in materials derived from coniferous trees, including timber, sawdust, and paper . Therefore, exposure to colophonium is likely to be common in both domestic and occupational settings .…”

“…Colophonium is a common contact allergen, with reported frequencies of patch test positivity of 1.4% to 4.2% in consecutively patch tested European patients. Trades and occupations in which occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) caused by colophonium has been reported include the wood, paper, electronic and metalworking industries and agriculture, but also beauticians, string musicians, and dental personnel . We wanted to characterize patients diagnosed with OACD caused by colophonium, the occupations and work tasks with a risk of colophonium allergy, and the sources of occupational exposure to colophonium.…”