title: Systematized contact dermatitis and montelukast in an atopic boy.
abstract: Upon ingestion, the artificial sweetener, aspartame is metabolized to formaldehyde in the body and has been reportedly associated with systemic contact dermatitis in patients exquisitely sensitive to formaldehyde. We present a case of a 9-year-old Caucasian boy with a history of mild atopic dermatitis that experienced severe systematized dermatitis after being started on montelukast chewable tablets containing aspartame. Patch testing revealed multiple chemical sensitivities which included a positive reaction to formaldehyde. Notably, resolution of his systemic dermatitis only occurred with discontinuation of the montelukast chewables.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Mari Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Castanedo-Tardan
authors.forename: Mercedes E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001218:Aspartame / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013440:Sulfides; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D013549:Sweetening Agents; C007975:hydrocortisone-17-butyrate; C093875:montelukast; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D001218:Aspartame