Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by isothiazolinones in water‐based paints: a retrospective study of 44 cases

• Published in: Contact dermatitis 2017-09, Vol.77 (3), p.163-170
• Main Authors: Amsler, Emmanuelle, Aerts, Olivier, Raison‐Peyron, Nadia, Debons, Michèle, Milpied, Brigitte, Giordano‐Labadie, Françoise, Waton, Julie, Ferrier‐Le Bouëdec, Marie C., Lartigau, Isabelle, Pecquet, Catherine, Assier, Haudrey, Avenel‐Audran, Martine, Bernier, Claire, Castelain, Florence, Collet, Evelyne, Crépy, Marie‐Noëlle, Genillier, Nathalie, Girardin, Pascal, Pralong, Pauline, Tetart, Florence, Vital‐Durand, Dominique, Soria, Angele, Barbaud, Annick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; airborne allergic contact dermatitis; Allergens - adverse effects; Allergens - immunology; Allergies; benzisothiazolinone; Contact dermatitis; Corticosteroids; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - etiology; Dermatitis, Occupational - etiology; Dermatology; Disinfectants - adverse effects; Eczema; Female; Humans; isothiazolinones; Labeling; Male; methylchloroisothiazolinone; methylisothiazolinone; Middle Aged; Mucosa; Occupational exposure; Occupational hazards; octylisothiazolinone; Paint; Paints; Patch Tests - adverse effects; respiratory symptoms; Retrospective Studies; Thiazoles - adverse effects; Water; water‐based paint; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0105-1873; 1600-0536
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.12795

Summary Background Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by paints containing isothiazolinones has been recognized as a health hazard. Objectives To collect epidemiological, clinical and patch test data on airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by isothiazolinone‐containing paints in France and Belgium. Methods A descriptive, retrospective study was initiated by the Dermatology and Allergy Group of the French Society of Dermatology, including methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI)‐ and/or MI‐sensitized patients who developed airborne allergic contact dermatitis following exposure to isothiazolinone‐containing paint. Results Forty‐four cases were identified, with mostly non‐occupational exposure (79.5%). Of the patients, 22.5% of also had mucosal symptoms. In several cases, the dermatitis required systemic corticosteroids (27.3%), hospitalization (9.1%), and/or sick leave (20.5%). A median delay of 5.5 weeks was necessary to enable patients to enter a freshly painted room without a flare‐up of their dermatitis. Approximately one‐fifth of the patients knew that they were allergic to MI and/or MCI/MI before the exposure to paints occurred. Conclusion Our series confirms that airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by paints containing isothiazolinones is not rare, and may be severe and long‐lasting. Better regulation of isothiazolinone concentrations in paints, and their adequate labelling, is urgently needed.