Contact Dermatitis in a Child from Methlychloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone in Moist Wipes

Abstract

Contact allergic reactions to methlychloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone also widely known as Kathon CG have been reported extensively reported. It is one of the most commonly used preservatives in rinse-off products, cosmetics, and others. Herein, a case of a 50-year-old girl is presented with chronic dermatitis in the anogenital area. The patient was patch tested and had positive reaction to Kathon CG. The detailed history taking revealed that the allergen was present in the moist cleaning wipes used instead of dry toilet paper. The presented case serves as a basis for a appraisal of the use of this preservative in wet wipes. In addition, the duration of the patch test protocol in children has also been discussed.

Six Children With Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Methylisothiazolinone in Wet Wipes (Baby Wipes)

“…2,[4][5][6][7] Interestingly, children have rarely been identified as having dermatitis caused by wet wipes. Only 2 cases of children developing contact dermatitis from wet wipes containing MCI/MI have been reported, 8,9 and only 1 reported pediatric case of ACD to wipes containing MI was retrospectively diagnosed after she was found to be allergic to MI released from her freshly painted bedroom. 3 Although MI is replacing MCI/MI, no pediatric cases of contact allergy have yet been reported in the United States, where MI (without MCI) has been identified as the allergen.…”

Methylisothiazolinone: A Case of Perianal Dermatitis Caused by Wet Wipes and Review of an Emerging Pediatric Allergen

“…Two cases have been identified in children: one from Italy described as a “diaper and facial dermatitis” and one in a school‐age child from Bulgaria . The Bulgarian case highlights the important point that perianal dermatitis is not restricted to adults and diaper‐age infants.…”

“…The Bulgarian case highlights the important point that perianal dermatitis is not restricted to adults and diaper‐age infants. The association between perianal allergic dermatitis and the use of wet wipes might not be recognized if there is an assumption that the dermatitis is a problem of perianal hygiene . In addition, pediatric practitioners may be unaware of allergic contact dermatitis, and there may be a lower rate of patch testing in children .…”

Isothiazolinones: Sensitizers Not to Miss in Children

“…Chang and Nakrani (9) recently reported six cases of children with ACD to wet wipes and a 4-year-old girl who was found to be allergic to a shampoo that contained MI. MI in wet wipes can be a sensitizer alone (8,10,11) or in combination with MCI (9,10,(12)(13)(14). There is no clear correlation between AD and ACD.…”