Is quaternium-15 a formaldehyde releaser? Correlation between positive patch test reactions to formaldehyde and quaternium-15.
BACKGROUND
The question of whether quaternium-15 is a formaldehyde releaser is controversial. Understanding this relationship is critical because of the widespread use of quaternium-15 and the need to properly advise formaldehyde-allergic individuals.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to look for an association between allergy to quaternium-15 and formaldehyde by correlating reactions to both and to correlate the intensity of positive patch test results to formaldehyde with reactivity to quaternium-15.


METHODS
This is a retrospective analysis of 1905 patients who underwent patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis. Associations were analyzed by χ testing.


RESULTS
Of all patients, 9.5% reacted to quaternium-15, 7.2% reacted to formaldehyde, and 5.4% reacted to both (P < 0.001). Of 137, 86 had strong (2 or 3+) and 51 had weak (1+ or +/-) formaldehyde reactions; there was no relationship between the severity of formaldehyde reactivity and responsiveness to quaternium-15 (P = 0.229). Sex analysis did not change these findings.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is limited by its retrospective analysis and small sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
A statistically significant relationship exists between reactivity to quaternium-15 and formaldehyde; however, the severity of the formaldehyde reaction does not predict reactivity to quaternium-15. Despite coreactivity with formaldehyde, quaternium-15 may not be a significant formaldehyde releaser. The coreactivity between quaternium-15 and formaldehyde requires further studies.
Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Ashika
A
Odhav
Donald V
DV
Belsito
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008709:Methenamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D005557:Formaldehyde; C018375:quaternium-15; D008709:Methenamine