title: Systemic Allergic Contact Dermatitis After Formaldehyde-Containing Influenza Vaccination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic contact dermatitis occurs when a patient sensitized to an allergen topically is systemically reexposed to the allergen and develops a cutaneous eruption.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the case of a 48-year-old male who developed explosive dermatitis following injection of a formaldehyde-containing influenza vaccine and was subsequently shown to be strongly positive to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing allergens by patch testing, as well as to review the literature for similar cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed search was made using the following search terms: systemic contact dermatitis, formaldehyde, influenza, and vaccine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A review of the literature revealed 2 cases of systemic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde derived from aspartame and 1 case from a thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine. No cases caused by formaldehyde in influenza or other vaccines were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights the importance of considering systemic allergic contact dermatitis in any patient presenting with dermatitis following injection of a formaldehyde-containing vaccine.
authors: Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada alexkuritzky@gmail.com.
authors: L Alexandra
authors: LA
authors: Kuritzky
authors: Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Pratt
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D005557:Formaldehyde
keywords: dermatitis; dermatology