Plants and Plant Products

Contact allergy to finished woods in furniture and furnishings: a small allergic contact dermatitis epidemic to western red cedar in sauna interior decoration

“…Occupational and non‐occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dust is uncommon and contact allergy to finished wooden products is even more rare . During 2012–2014 a small contact allergy epidemic to western red cedar in sauna interior decoration was detected in Northern Finland.…”

“…Colophony and turpentine oil are known sensitizers of pine and can sensitize in incidental contact to unvarnished pine products . The oxidation products of colophony are the allergens responsible for sensitization . In addition, colophony contains sesquiterpenes, which are also components of oils of Meranti wood, which has caused allergic contact dermatitis when used as garage door material .…”

“…a toilet seat, wooden chair, garage door or sauna benches (Table ). Tropical woods are thought to be most potent sensitizers as they commonly contain quinones, which are also found in non‐tropical woods like western red cedar . Instead, pine ( Pinus ), which is the most typical tree of the temperate zone, is less commonly seen as a cause of contact dermatitis despite the fact that pine is a source of colophony and turpentine oil, which are well‐known contact sensitizers …”

“…Due to its durability, it is used for interior and exterior construction, e.g. paneling . Western red cedar has been described to cause different types of allergic disease: allergic asthma and rhinitis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis and allergic contact dermatitis .…”

“…Western red cedar has been described to cause different types of allergic disease: allergic asthma and rhinitis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis and allergic contact dermatitis . Thymoquinone is the main contact allergen of western red cedar, but also tropolones such as γ‐thujaplicin (4‐isopropyltropolone) and 7‐hydroxy‐4‐isopropyltropolone are known to cause sensitization …”