Is quaternium-15 a formaldehyde releaser? Correlation between positive patch test reactions to formaldehyde and quaternium-15.

Abstract

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.

OBJECTIVES:

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.

LIMITATIONS:

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.

• Authors: Ashika Odhav, Donald V Belsito
• Journal: Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug (Dermatitis) 2012 Jan-Feb Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 39-43 ISSN: 2162-5220 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22653068 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
• Formaldehyde
• quaternium-15
• Methenamine

Topics

• Chi-Square Distribution
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (etiology)
• Female
• Formaldehyde (adverse effects, chemistry)
• Humans
• Male
• Methenamine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, chemistry)
• Patch Tests (methods)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical (adverse effects, chemistry)
• Retrospective Studies