Sofa dermatitis again? A case report of allergic contact dermatitis to octylisothiazolinone from a leather reclining chair

Abstract

DISCUSSIONDimethyl fumarate, a fungicidal agent used in leather products was the cause of a major outbreak of allergic contact dermatitis >10 years ago. This was termed "sofa dermatitis" and led to recall of leather furniture from implicated suppliers. 1,2 Non-occupational contact allergy to OIT has not yet been reported in the UK to the best of our knowledge. By contrast, occupational allergic contact dermatitis is described: Young et al reported aPhD student developing hand dermatitis when working with OIT as a biocide 3 ; a further report described three workers experiencing hand dermatitis due to OIT used as a preservative in an adhesive factory. 4Non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis to OIT is described internationally, principally to leather products such as belts, shoes, watch straps, and pertinent leather upholstery on sofas. 5,6 A recent review has highlighted the presence of OIT in textiles, household detergents, metalworking fluids, and plastic cleaning towels. 7 Cross reactivity between MI and OIT is reportedly common, 5,8 although our patient did not react to MI or MCI. Isothiazolinones are used as preservatives in a wide variety of settings and cross reactions do not necessarily occur. This case highlights the importance of testing to a range of isothiazolinones and the importance of recognizing the changing landscape of allergen exposure. CONFLICT OF INTERESTNone to declare. ORCIDWilliam T. N. Hunt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7680-0624

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by octylisothiazolinone in a leather car seat: Case report and emergence of octylisothiazolinones in leather goods in Switzerland

“…OIT is a preservative agent with antifungal and antibacterial properties used in different products such as paints, household detergents, cutting and cooling fluids and the leather industry. In the last few years, multiples cases of non‐occupational allergic contact dermatitis to OIT in leather goods have been reported 1,2 . Since 2018, in our clinic, this case is the second reported case of leather contact dermatitis due to OIT 3 .…”

“…In the last few years, multiples cases of non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis to OIT in leather goods have been reported. 1,2 Since 2018, in our clinic, this case is the second reported case of leather contact dermatitis due to OIT. 3 In collaboration with the Official Food and Veterinary Control Authority of Geneva, 58 random leather goods from the Swiss market (belts, shoes for kids, sofa and etc.)…”

Sofa dermatitis: Value of patch test with 2‐(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole

“…Methylisothiazolinone (MI) has been reported as the allergen responsible of ACD caused by leather-care products used by patients to clean their leather sofas. 11 More recently, OIT, another isothiazolinone derivative, has also been implicated in sofa dermatitis [12][13][14][15][16] notably caused by car seats. 16 The latter type of chair was responsible for ACD in two of our patients (patients 1 and 2).…”

Unrecognized leather sofa dermatitis complicating chronic plaque psoriasis

“…It is predominantly an occupational allergen, but non‐occupational ACD has recently been described to leather goods with 11 previously reported patients (Table 1). In three cases, sofas were implicated (one patient additionally to a car seat), 2‐4 and in two cases chairs 3,5 . Six of the eleven patients had ACD from shoes or sandals, 2,6 two to watch straps, 2 and one to a belt 2 .…”