glyceryl-monothioglycolate and Dermatitis--Occupational

Cosmetics for bleaching, waving/relaxing and dyeing hair contain well-known allergens, leading to a substantial number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis.. To compare the frequency of important contact allergens (i) between two distinct groups of exposed patients, and (ii) with previous surveillance data.. On the basis of data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK; www.ivkd.org) between 2007 and 2012 in 824 female hairdressers and 2067 female clients, the current spectrum of contact sensitization to ingredients of hair cosmetics, as contained in different pertinent series, is described.. A similar burden of sensitization as in previous analyses was observed, but with some increase in sensitization to oxidative hair dye components in clients. Some allergens mainly affected hairdressers, such as ammonium persulfate (18.7% positive) and glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMTG; still 4.7% positive, with a few cases also in young hairdressers, despite removal from the German market).. Hair dyes remain important contact allergens, despite various attempts by the cosmetic industry to introduce hair dyes with lower allergenic potential. The re-emergence of GMTG as an occupational allergen should be considered as a warning signal ('sentinel event') prompting close monitoring.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Ammonium Sulfate; Beauty Culture; Cross Reactions; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Germany; Glycerides; Hair Dyes; Hair Preparations; Humans; Patch Tests; Prevalence; Young Adult

Allergic contact dermatitis is common in hairdressers because of their exposure to chemicals used in hair dyes and permanent wave solutions. Atopic individuals are known to have a higher prevalence of leaving the profession due to morbidity associated with hand eczema.. To assess which chemicals are responsible for allergic contact dermatitis in hairdressers and whether the prevalence is the same according to atopy status.. A total of 729 hairdressers who had been patch tested were retrospectively identified. Allergic reactions to relevant allergens from the extended European baseline series and hairdressing series were analysed against history of atopic eczema.. Of the total, 29.9% of patients had a current or past history of atopic eczema. The most frequent positive allergens from the European baseline series were nickel sulfate (32.1%) and p-phenylenediamine (19.0%) and from the hairdressing series were glyceryl monothioglycolate (21.4%) and ammonium persulfate (10.6%). There was no significant difference between people with or without a history of atopic eczema, except for fragrance mix I and nickel sulfate.. We present findings from the largest cohort of hairdressers patch tested from a single centre. It is necessary to patch test hairdressers with dermatitis, regardless of a history of atopy. Strategies to reduce prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis are required.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Allergens; Ammonium Sulfate; Cohort Studies; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Eczema; Female; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Phenylenediamines; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Germany; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Public Policy

Due to a high incidence of cases of (occupational) sensitization to glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMT), products containing this compound were withdrawn from the German market some 8 years ago.. We analyzed the data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology in Germany which included 1, 336 hairdressers who had been tested with GMT (1% in petrolatum) between 1992 and 1998.. The proportion of hairdressers reacting positively to GMT fell from initially 45% in 1992 to less than 20% in 1997 and 1998.. This most likely reflects the above-mentioned preventive action.

Topics: Allergens; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Germany; Glycerides; Humans; Incidence

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Patch Tests

Topics: Barbering; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Europe; Female; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Intradermal Tests; Irritants; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests

Topics: Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Epoxy Resins; Equipment Design; Gloves, Protective; Glycerides; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Methylmethacrylate; Methylmethacrylates

Topics: Allergens; Dermatitis, Occupational; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Patch Tests

Topics: Dermatitis, Occupational; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Patch Tests

Paraphenylendiamine and glyceryl monothioglycolate are among the most common sensitizers in hairdressers. Ordinary vinyl gloves can prevent paraphenylenediamine sensitization, but presently available gloves are either not protective against glyceryl monothioglycolate sensitization or are too cumbersome to use. A new, lightweight Danish "4H" glove, which protects workers against epoxy resin and acrylic compounds, is being investigated for use in protecting against glyceryl monothioglycolate sensitization. Table II lists the principal features of the differential management of patients with paraphenylenediamine and glyceryl monothioglycolate sensitization.

Topics: Allergens; Beauty Culture; Cross Reactions; Dermatitis, Occupational; Glycerides; Hair Dyes; Hair Preparations; Humans; Phenylenediamines; Protective Clothing

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Middle Aged; Protective Clothing

Topics: Allergens; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Patch Tests

Eight hairdressers and four clients were found to be allergic to glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMTG) contained in "acid" permanent waves used in American beauty salons only since 1973. Previous studies in Germany showed that compounds closely related to GMTG were strong sensitizers. In contrast, ammonium thioglycolate (ATG) has been used since 1943 in cold "alkaline" permanent waves both in homes and in salons with no clearly documented cases of contact allergy. Our allergic patients reacted to GMTG in concentrations as low as 0.25%, although their exposure in practice could reach concentrations of 20% to 80%. GMTG-allergic patients reacted to GMTG when it was tested through a variety of glove fabrics. Household-weight neoprene gloves were protective.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Allergens; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Glycerides; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Patch Tests; Scalp Dermatoses

Glyceryl monothioglycolate has recently been implicated as an allergen. A case of a hairdresser who used this material is presented. He appeared to have an irritant contact dermatitis on his fingertips. Patch testing the patient and extensive patch testing in a group of fifty-four volunteers showed a very high incidence of irritant positive patch tests. No instance of allergy could be demonstrated in the reading of the patch tests or in biopsies of several individuals. Differentiation between allergens and irritants is difficult at times, but is necessary to avoid mislabeling of chemicals.

Topics: Adult; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Irritants; Male; Patch Tests

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Formaldehyde; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Irritants; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Patch Tests; Phenylenediamines; Skin Tests

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Glycerides; Hair Preparations; Humans; Male; Patch Tests; Time Factors