Patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis to cigarettes: smoked/unsmoked components and formaldehyde factors.

Abstract

A patient with hand dermatitis reported that switching her smoking hand resulted in reduced symptoms. When allergy to cigarettes is suspected the literature supports standard allergy testing as well as testing the individual components of cigarettes. Initial standard patch testing revealed an allergy to formaldehyde and the formaldehyde releasing agent, quaternium-15. The patient did not react to her usual roll-your-own cigarette components but reacted to the smoked filter paper of a particular brand of cigarette she frequently borrowed from a friend. Possible explanations include either a variation of ingredients between cigarettes that alters the formaldehyde concentration or another unidentified allergen in the branded cigarette causing allergic contact dermatitis.

• Authors: Benjamin Carew, Jim Muir
• Journal: The Australasian journal of dermatology (Australas J Dermatol) Vol. 55 Issue 3 Pg. 225-6 (Aug 2014) ISSN: 1440-0960 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 24032695 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2013 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Chemical References

• Formaldehyde
• quaternium-15
• Methenamine

Topics

• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (etiology)
• Female
• Formaldehyde (toxicity)
• Hand Dermatoses (etiology)
• Humans
• Methenamine (analogs & derivatives, toxicity)
• Patch Tests
• Tobacco Products (adverse effects)
• Young Adult