Allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde textile resins in surgical uniforms and nonwoven textile masks.
Despite a trend for reduction in the concentration of free formaldehyde in textiles, formaldehyde textile resin (FTR) allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) remains an important clinical issue and is likely underdiagnosed. Patients with FTR ACD may react to formaldehyde released from the resin or to the resin itself. Screening with formaldehyde and ethyleneurea/melamine formaldehyde resin will uncover most cases. Patch testing with the suspected offending fabric most often leads to false-negative results. We present a case of a 49-year-old pediatrician who developed a severe widespread dermatitis caused by contact with FTRs from her hospital "greens" ("scrubs") and mask.
Donovan
Jeff
J
St. Michael's Hospital, Occupational Disease Specialty Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Skotnicki-Grant
Sandy
S
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003020:Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008397:Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects; D013784:Textiles / Q000009:adverse effects
D000485:Allergens; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D005557:Formaldehyde