Preservatives sensitivity in Israel: a 10-year overview (1995-2004)

Contact Dermatitis. 2006 Oct;55(4):227-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2006.00902.x.

Abstract

This study presents a 10-year survey of 2285 patients tested to common preservatives in northern Israel. The demographic and clinical data were analysed using a revised MOAHLFA index. Patch testing was based on the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) guidelines. 411 (18%) patients were found to have positive reactions to 1 or more preservatives. The most frequent allergens tested positively were thimerosal, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), and formaldehyde. The reactions to MCI/MI remained stable around 1.7% throughout the years 1995-1998, with a significant increase to 3.7%-4% (P = 0.029) during 1999-2004. The reactions to formaldehyde remained low around 0.3% until 1999; however, a considerable increase throughout the years 2000-2004 was noted, with rates of 1.5%-1.9% (P = 0.028). The sensitivity rates for parabens, quaternium-15, imidazolidinylurea, and diazolidinylurea were low and unchanged, mostly under 0.5%. As for methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN), sensitivity rates around 2% were detected for the years 1996 and throughout 2000-2004. Overall, this extensive survey showed a concerning increase in the sensitivity rates for MCI/MI, formaldehyde, and MDBGN.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Allergens / adverse effects*
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / epidemiology*
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / etiology
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / pathology
  • Female
  • Formaldehyde / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Nitriles / adverse effects
  • Patch Tests
  • Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thiazoles / adverse effects
  • Thimerosal / adverse effects

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Nitriles
  • Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
  • Thiazoles
  • Formaldehyde
  • Thimerosal
  • 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
  • 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane