Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to coconut diethanolamide (cocamide DEA)

Abstract

Coconut diethanolamide (CDEA), manufactured from coconut oil, is widely used as a surface-active agent in hand gels, hand-washing liquids, shampoos and dish-washing liquids. CDEA has rarely caused allergic contact dermatitis. During 1985-1992, we investigated 6 patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by CDEA. 2 became sensitized from a barrier cream, 3 from a hand-washing liquid, and 1 had been exposed both to a hand-washing liquid and to a metalworking fluid containing CDEA. Leave-on products (hand-protection foams) caused sensitization much more rapidly (2-3 months) than rinse-off products (hand-washing liquids; 5-7 years). Due to the extensive use of CDEA and the lack of proper declaration of products, it is difficult to avoid CDEA exposure. No contact allergy to another coconut-oil-derived sensitizer (cocamidopropyl betaine) was found in the patients.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by coconut fatty acids diethanolamide

“…In previous reports of cocamide DEA contact allergy, occupational sources of sensitization have included protective hand gel (5), hydraulic mining oil (3), barrier creams (6), hand cleansers (4,6), and metalworking fluids (6), and non-occupational sources of sensitization have included shampoos (7,8) or other personal care products (2). In the present study population, hand cleansers dominated, but exposure to cocamide DEA or related compounds was also found via a barrier cream, two dishwashing liquids, and a metalworking fluid.…”

“…Cocamide DEA allergy has been reported relatively seldom. The sources of exposure have been both occupational and personal care products at home . Here, we present an analysis of cocamide DEA‐allergic patients in an occupational dermatology clinic.…”

Contact allergy from metalworking fluid traced to tall oil fatty acids monoethanolamide

“…Contact allergy to tall oil MEA has not been reported before. There are, however, some reports of cocamide DEA allergy from oil and metalworking fluid (2,3).…”

Kokamidopropil betain ve kokonat dietanolamide bağlı mesleksel alerjik kontakt dermatit

“…Olguların 10 (%2,3)'ünde DMAPA'ya reaksiyon saptanmış. Bu olguların 13 . Olgumuzda hem CAPB hem de CDEA'ya karşı reaksiyon saptanmıştır.…”