Association of reversible alopecia with occupational topical exposure to common borax-containing solutions.
Boron is widely used in industrial materials, most frequently as the salt borax. Systemic exposure (eg, ingestion) to boron in boric acid been associated with reversible toxic alopecia among other manifestations. There is scant clinical literature on alopecia caused by topical exposure to boron. We observed a series of 3 patients in 2 workplaces who suffered reversible alopecia from cutaneous boron exposure. The scalp alopecia was global in 1 patient and patchy in 2 patients. Alopecia was completely reversed by elimination or reduction of exposure to boron-containing materials in all 3 patients. We conclude that occupational topical exposure to boron in solutions may cause reversible alopecia.
Departments of Environmental Medicine (Occupational Medicine Division), Internal Medicine and Dermatology, and Finger Lakes Occupational Health Services, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642, USA.
W S
WS
Beckett
R
R
Oskvig
M E
ME
Gaynor
M H
MH
Goldgeier
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001881:Borates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012996:Solutions
D001881:Borates; D001888:Boric Acids; D012996:Solutions; C018851:borax; C032688:boric acid