Dermatitis®

Formaldehyde resins may be used in textiles.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of formaldehyde in textiles using the chromotropic acid method.

Clothing scraps (from local department store tailors, n = 77) and upholstery fabric cuttings (from a furniture reupholstery store, n = 22) were collected. Each fabric was cut into a 1-cm square and tested using the chromotropic acid method. Samples were retested in a systematic fashion (every 10th sample) to assess reproducibility.

All 99 clothing and upholstery fabrics tested negative for formaldehyde release.

Our study suggests that textile manufactures may be using nonformaldehyde resins for durable press finishing in clothing likely to be tailored as well as fabrics used for furniture reupholstery. Additional studies involving other metropolitan areas and a variety of fabrics are needed to confirm these findings.

Nail polish is known to contain potentially hazardous chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects after overexposure. Formaldehyde is used as an antimicrobial, preservative, and nail hardener in select nail products, yet it is a recognized carcinogen and potent allergen in allergic contact dermatitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether formaldehyde is present in nail polishes marketed as formaldehyde-free.

Twenty-nine cosmetic nail polishes were purchased for analysis; of these, 28 were advertised as formaldehyde-free and/or did not declare formaldehyde in their ingredient lists. Initial testing was pursued using the chromotropic acid method, which uses a red-purple color change to indicate the presence of formaldehyde. Products were subsequently analyzed at least twice using high-performance liquid chromatography, quantifying formaldehyde amount above the detection limit of 2 ppm.

High-performance liquid chromatography analysis found 5 of 29 products containing formaldehyde, 4 of which were advertised as formaldehyde-free. All other products were negative for formaldehyde (<2 ppm). Further investigation is warranted among brands testing positive and whether multiple products within the same line contain formaldehyde. Nail products must be labeled appropriately to avoid adverse reactions among individuals with cutaneous sensitivities.

Allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that less commonly presents with scalp involvement. Recently, T regulatory cells have been documented to be residents of hair follicles, illuminating why contact allergens are less likely to elicit dermatitis in the scalp.

The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of scalp symptoms, with and without other affected areas, in patients presenting for evaluation of allergic contact dermatitis and to determine the allergens most likely to be associated with scalp dermatitis.

We examined allergens commonly found in hair products and stratified positive patch test results by the following affected areas: face, eyelid, neck, or hands, where exposure by runoff is common, versus scalp.

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is the most common allergen in patients with scalp dermatitis. The rate of PPD sensitization is higher in nonwhite compared with white patients. In the small number of patients with isolated scalp involvement, positive patch tests to PPD were documented in a minority. Other allergens found in hair products may present without scalp symptoms. Patients with dermatitis affecting areas other than the scalp should provide their hair product ingredients to guide patch test selection.

Fragrances are the most common cause of contact allergy in cosmetics.

The aim of this study was to identify fragrance allergens in hair removal products based on the list of ingredients.

Hair removal products found in the French market were checked for the 26 allergens classified in accordance with Directive 2003/15/EC through information on the packages using the Web site of the manufacturer, vendor, or supermarket.

A total of 662 hair removal products were checked. Fragrance allergens were present in 318 (48%) of the products, with an average of 4 allergens per product. Linalool and limonene were the most common fragrances present in 67% and 50.3%, respectively. Strip and spray formulations contained significantly more allergens than cream/lotion or wax products. To prevent allergic contact dermatitis, the formulation of hair removal products should be considered, because fragrance allergens are more often present in strip and spray formulations.