Contact allergy to formaldehyde releasers. Prospective multicenter study

Abstract

The prevalence of sensitization to formaldehyde releasers (FRs) differs according to geographic area and has changed over time. Several factors may influence prevalence, including different patch test systems or concentrations or the allergen selection in different baseline patch test series, habits of the populations, and regulations and legal concentration limits in cosmetics. 1,2 Quaterium-15 had been SANZ-SÁNCHEZ ET AL. 173

Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers: A clinical review and update

“…21,35,36 Although its counterpart imidazolidinyl urea is more widely used, diazolidinyl urea is a more-potent sensitizer, accounting for higher overall rates of sensitization, being more pronounced in the United States (2%-4%) as compared to Europe (0.5%-1.5%). 13,23,[35][36] Because diazolidinyl urea is less frequently used in occupational products, data on its importance as an occupational allergen are lacking.…”

“…to be sensitized to this FR, albeit showing a decreasing trend, whereas in Europe the sensitization rate is only 0.5%. 13,23,35 4 | CLINICAL PICTURE…”

“…Of interest, according to a recent Spanish study, 23 in which the use of Finn chambers was compared to the TRUE Test system for testing FRs (although not in the same population), the latter produced more often positive reactions to them than the Finn chambers, particularly to bronopol (although only tested in a 0.25% concentration in pet. )…”

A review of contact dermatitis

“…There are also a number of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, including DMDM hydantoin, quarternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, and 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol, with only the latter 4 included in the standard thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous patch test series. 40 Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives release formaldehyde in the presence of water. 41 Formaldehyde itself can be patch tested at a 1% or 2% concentration, though the 2% concentration may yield more positive results.…”

Antiseptic drugs and disinfectants with special scrutiny of COVID-19 pandemic related side effects

“…Data from a multicenter prospective study in Spain, which included 18 hospitals, showed that from 4088 patch tested patients, 70 tested positive for formaldehyde releasers (1.7%). This incidence was judged as being low despite the wide-spread use of formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in Spain ( Sanz-Sanchez et al, 2020 ) [MC]. A case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by formaldehyde and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol) contained in a polypropylene surgical mask was described.…”