rosin and Dermatitis--Occupational

Comedones, often in a periorbital distribution, have been claimed to be associated with pitch tar.. This cross-sectional study compares the incidence of periorbital comedones between a group of individuals exposed to pitch tar and a control group.. The incidence of periorbital comedones was determined in workers (n = 55) at a tar distillation plant. A comparison group (n = 55) not exposed to pitch tar was also examined for the presence of facial comedones. The respective incidence rates were compared by using the Fisher exact test.. Eighteen percent (10/55) of the study group and 4% (2/55) of the control group had periorbital comedones. The study group had a significantly greater incidence of periorbital comedones (P =.01).. The incidence of periorbital comedones is significantly greater in individuals exposed to pitch tar. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential relationship between pitch tar and periorbital comedones.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Orbit; Resins, Plant; Tars

Colophony is a complex mixture of over 100 compounds derived from pine trees. It has countless applications at home and at work and exposure to colophony and modified-colophony is universal. It is the oxidation products of unmodified and modified colophony and some of the new resin acids synthesized during modification that are the principle allergens in colophony. The neutral fraction may account for a small % of positive reactions. When screening for allergy using unmodified gum rosin, allergy to modified rosin will not be revealed. When patients react to both materials, it is probably due to unmodified colophony present in both, rather than a cross-reaction. Relevant positive reactions may be missed if only colophony 20% pet is relied upon as the screening material.

Topics: Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Tars

Regarding colophony, the use in industries, adverse effects, diagnosis, pathophysiology and control are reviewed. Colophony is an unhomogeneous mixture of resin acids as like abietic acid and neutral substances. Colophony is used everywhere, in industry, daily life and medical supplies. Soldering workers are exposed to the colophony fumes heated up to the temperature of soldering irons. The effects of exposure to colophony are classified into bronchial asthma and contact dermatitis. Colophony fumes cause bronchial asthma by its nonspecific irritation. Inhalation challenge test and repeated spirometry during working day may help the diagnosis of colophony induced asthma. Improvement of working environment for soldering and development of new flux instead of colophony will be necessary. A study on contact dermatitis revealed that colophony and its related compounds are one of major causes for contact dermatitis. Cases of dermatitis by depilatory agents used to remove hair from slaughtered swine, anti-slipping cream for ballet shoes or resin for cello strings have been reported. Patch test may contribute to the diagnosis of dermatitis caused by colophony.

Topics: Asthma; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Resins, Plant; Tars

Topics: Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Cosmetics; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatitis, Occupational; Household Products; Humans; Resins, Plant; Tissue Adhesives

Rosin of different sources is commonly used in many technical products and is known to cause contact allergy. The aim of the present investigation was to study the frequency of occupational dermatoses and of contact allergy to rosin in a factory producing tall-oil rosin. 163/180 present employees and 17/35 former employees participated in the study, which consisted of interview, clinical examination and patch testing with a standard series and additional rosins. 1/4 of those examined had some kind of current skin lesion. There were 10 cases of hand eczema. 7 subjects were patch-test-positive to gum rosin in the standard series. This frequency is about the same as among dermatitis patients at our clinic. Only 1 reaction to tall-oil rosin and none to the modified rosins tested were found. No relation between a positive patch test reaction to rosin and current skin disease could be established. No case of ongoing occupational skin disease was proved.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chemical Industry; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Eczema; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Plant Oils; Resins, Plant; Sweden

A patient with recurrent face and eyelid eczema after establishing an eco-friendly refill business, she was selling bees wax wraps as part of her business. This case raises awareness of bees wax wraps being a new potential eco-friendly source of colophonium allergic contact dermatitis.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Bees; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Eczema; Exanthema; Female; Humans; Resins, Plant

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant

Topics: Adult; Coloring Agents; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Indonesia; Male; Middle Aged; Paraffin; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Textile Industry; Young Adult

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Music; Nickel; Patch Tests; Recurrence; Resins, Plant; Young Adult

Colophonium is a common contact allergen that is present not only in household products but also in occupational settings.. To describe the sources of occupational exposure to colophonium and the occupations at risk of colophonium allergy.. We reviewed patch test files from the years 2002 to 2017 at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health for patients with allergic reactions to colophonium and abietic acid. We analysed the patch test, occupation and exposure data of 39 patients diagnosed with occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) caused by colophonium.. Of the patients examined for suspected occupational dermatitis, 4.6% (n = 118) reacted positively to colophonium. The majority of the OACD patients worked in the wood industry, as machinists, or were involved in soldering or agriculture. The most common occupational sources of exposure were coniferous wood and wood-derived materials, followed by glues, metalworking fluids, and soldering materials. Colophonium is not always mentioned in safety data sheets (SDSs), and the sources of colophonium exposure are often materials for which there are no SDSs.. OACD caused by colophonium is quite common and occurs in a variety of occupations. SDSs provide poor information for exposure assessment. Patch testing with the patient's own materials was often useful in establishing the diagnosis.

Topics: Abietanes; Adhesives; Adult; Agriculture; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Finland; Humans; Male; Metallurgy; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Tracheophyta; Wood; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Ankle; Bandages; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Leg Dermatoses; Male; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Soccer

Colophonium is a natural substance derived from Pineaceae trees. It is used in a wide range of consumer and occupational products because of its tackiness, and is a known sensitizer.. To analyse the temporal trend of contact allergy to colophonium in north-eastern Italy, and to evaluate the associations with occupations in our geographical area.. From 1996 to 2016, 27 381 patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested in north-eastern Italy. Individual characteristics were documented by use of a standardized questionnaire in 6 departments of dermatology or occupational medicine.. The overall prevalence of colophonium sensitization was 1.67%; the prevalence was significantly higher in women (1.75%) than in men (1.49%). No significant differences among departments were observed. We found significant associations between colophonium sensitization and being a student (odds ratio [OR] 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-20.6), being a farmer or fishermen (OR 3.63; 95%CI: 1.21-10.84), being a housekeeper (OR 2.02; 95%CI: 1.08-3.77), and being retired (OR 2.06; 95%CI: 1.08-3.92).. Our study showed that contact allergy to colophonium is still relevant in north-eastern Italy. The frequency of sensitization has dropped significantly over a period of 10 years, but students and farmers/fishermen still have sensitization prevalences above 3.5%. Our results are in line with European data.

Topics: Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Pinus; Prevalence; Resins, Plant; Sex Distribution

Occupational contact dermatitis is common in healthcare workers. Although irritant contact dermatitis resulting from wet work is the most frequently reported cause, healthcare workers also constitute high-risk group for the development of allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria.. To evaluate the prevalence of delayed-type and immediate-type hypersensitivity in 120 healthcare workers with hand eczema.. One hundred and twenty healthcare workers from three major hospitals in Denmark with self-reported hand eczema within the last year participated in the study. Patch tests included baseline series plus selected allergens, and prick tests included standard inhalational allergens plus natural rubber latex and chlorhexidine. Levels of IgE specific for latex, chlorhexidine and ethylene oxide were measured.. Of the participants, 53% had positive patch test reactions. The most frequent positive patch test reactions were to nickel, thiomersal, fragrances, rubber chemicals, and colophonium. The prevalence of natural rubber latex allergy as diagnosed by prick testing was 2.5%, and chlorhexidine allergy (both contact allergy and IgE-mediated allergy) was found in <1%. Ethylene oxide allergy was not identified in any of the participants.. Our results confirm previous reports on contact allergy patterns in healthcare workers. Testing for natural rubber latex allergy is still important, but increased risks of chlorhexidine and ethylene oxide allergy could not be confirmed.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Allergens; Chlorhexidine; Denmark; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Disinfectants; Eczema; Ethylene Oxide; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Health Personnel; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Latex Hypersensitivity; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Patch Tests; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Prevalence; Resins, Plant; Skin Tests; Thimerosal

Topics: Adult; Brazil; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Resins, Plant

The aim of this study was to determine any occupationally relevant allergic contact sensitizations in hand dermatitis in a jeweler. Patch test with European Standard, vehicle, medicaments, and metal series (Finn chambers on Scanpor) was performed. Readings were taken on day 2 and day 4. Allergic positive reaction to colophonium 20% pet and silver nitrate 0.5% aq was detected. The contact sensitivities to silver and colophonium seem to be occupationally relevant in this case.

Topics: Aged; Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Diagnosis, Differential; Forearm; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Leg; Male; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Silver

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Dental Technicians; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dust; Housing, Animal; Humans; Male; Resins, Plant; Tars; Wood

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Music; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Plant Extracts; Resins, Plant

We describe 2 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis followed by leukoderma. The 1st case was a 49-year-old wood machinist who developed leukoderma in areas of contact dermatitis involving his lips, neck, hands and forearms and was found to be allergic to colophony and pine sawdust on patch testing. The 2nd case involved a 44-year-old man who worked as an epoxy applicator in a ceramics factory. He developed depigmentation in areas of contact dermatitis involving his face, hands, forearms, back, thighs and legs and was found on patch testing to be allergic to epoxy resin. The appearance of contact leukoderma may be indistinguishable from idiopathic vitiligo. However the prognosis for repigmentation may be better in contact leukoderma than in idiopathic vitiligo.

Topics: Adult; Benzocaine; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dust; Epoxy Resins; Humans; Hypopigmentation; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Wood

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Dental Assistants; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Intradermal Tests; Occupational Exposure; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Tars

A 73-year-old man presented with an 8-year history of a dermatitis affecting his face, dorsum of hands, and forearms. He was a retired cabinet maker but still carried out some timber work at home. He was patch tested and found to be positive to colophony and saw-dust samples from four different timbers: Silky Oak, Queensland Hoop Pine, Radiata Pine and Australian red cedar.

Topics: Aged; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Wood

Topics: Aged; Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Male; Paper; Recurrence; Resins, Plant

Colophony is commonly used in many products that we are exposed to both at work and during leisure. At our Department, about 5% of patch tested dermatitis patients show positive reactions to colophony. 83 patients in whom contact allergy to colophony had been diagnosed were followed up after 9-13 years. They were interviewed, examined and retested. At least 30% had current hand eczema on follow-up examination. Among those in whom the dermatitis had started on the hands, there were proportionally more individuals with current hand eczema than among those in whom the onset had been on other parts of the body. 72% of the participants were still patch-test-positive to colophony, and more than 1/2 had additional positive reactions to other allergens. Some of these additional reactions were new compared to the previous test occasion. The degree of exposure to colophony throughout the years was difficult to estimate. Contact allergy to colophony was considered occupational in individuals with, e.g., soldering jobs.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Prognosis; Resins, Plant; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Tars

Topics: Adult; Beauty Culture; Cosmetics; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hair Removal; Humans; Resins, Plant

To estimate the occurrence of skin symptoms and the prevalence of contact allergy to occupational allergens, 84 male woodwork teachers were interviewed, clinically examined and patch tested. The tests included a supplemented European standard series and acetone extracts of wood dust of pine, spruce, juniper and birch. In addition, 10 colophony-allergic volunteers were tested with dilution series of wood dust extracts. Major colophony compounds in the dust extracts were analyzed with gas chromatography. We found a high 1-year period prevalence of generally mild hand eczema: 19%. Contact allergy was diagnosed to several allergens in the working environment, e.g., benzisothiazolin-3-one, nickel, formaldehyde and colophony. A clear relationship between patch test reactions to colophony and to coniferous woods, especially pine, was found. Exposure to wood dust at work caused dermatitis in a colophony-sensitized teacher.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Allergens; Chromatography, Gas; Cohort Studies; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dust; Eczema; Formaldehyde; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Juniperus; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Patch Tests; Plant Extracts; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Prevalence; Resins, Plant; Sweden; Tars; Teaching; Thiazoles; Trees; Wood

Topics: Adult; Beauty Culture; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Resins, Plant; Tars; Waxes

We report 3 cases of contact dermatitis in rosin-sensitive individuals caused by exposure to airborne rosin components from different sources. Case no. 1 was a female office worker with a facial dermatitis caused by rosin components which emanated from the linoleum floor covering in her office. Floor material containing wood flour and rosin was released into the air, causing a facial dermatitis in the rosin-sensitive subject. Case no. 2 involved a woman who worked in a factory producing dairy product cartons and had a dermatitis on her lower legs, lower arms and upper chest. Her dermatitis was caused by dust from the paper cartons and contact allergy to rosin components probably aggravated her dermatitis. Case no. 3 was a female office worker with a relapsing dermatitis on her eyelids. Her dermatitis was caused by a rosin-containing floor polish, which was seen as a powder on the office floor. Extracts of suspected material and products were patch tested and analysed for the presence of rosin components with HPLC and GC techniques. A discussion and recommendations on chemical analyses of rosin components follow. We conclude that a thorough investigation, including chemical analyses, can rule out non-specific diagnoses and offer a solution to the patient's skin problems.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Eyelids; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Household Products; Humans; Leg Dermatoses; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant; Tars

839 patients were patch tested with a series of 31 plastics and glues allergens at a dermatologic clinic over a period of 7 years. 52 (6%) had a positive patch test reaction to 1 or more such allergens. Clinic charts of 47 patients (out of 52) were available for the study. All but 3 patients had dermatitis on their hands: 17 had only hand dermatitis. 25 (53%) patients' test results were of present or past relevance to their skin diseases. 11 patients (68%) with occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and 14 (45%) with non-occupational dermatitis had relevant reactions. p-tertiary-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin was the most common allergen (9 cases). 7 patients reacted to diaminodiphenylmethane. 5 patients, who had colophony allergy, reacted to abietic acid and 4 to abitol. There was no reaction to 14 test substances. Special series, such as this plastics and glues series, reveal the cause of ACD less frequently than standard series. However, there is no other way to confirm allergy to these usually industrial allergens, which can also sensitize through non-occupational exposure during hobby working or through unpolymerized monomer left in the finished plastic product.

Topics: Adhesives; Adult; Aged; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatitis, Occupational; Ethylenediamines; Female; Finland; Formaldehyde; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Plastics; Resins, Plant; Resorcinols

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Formaldehyde; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paper; Resins, Plant

A connection between patch test reactions to paper extracts and contact allergy to rosin (colophony) has been demonstrated.. We wanted to determine whether a difference in the allergenic activity of various types of paper is related to a difference in the pulp.. Patients with dermatitis who were frequently exposed to paper were patch tested with extracts from various papers and the standard series. The extracts were also tested in volunteers with or without contact allergy to rosin and in animals. The rosin compounds in the papers were analyzed by gas chromatography.. The subjects reacting to paper extracts also reacted to rosin. Most reactions were found to the papers produced from mechanical pulps, which contained the highest analyzed amounts of rosin compounds. Animals sensitized to rosin reacted only to paper from mechanical pulp.. Papers based on mechanical pulps that are considered to be environmentally friendly have a greater potential to elicit positive patch test reactions than papers made from other pulps. The increased use of mechanical pulps in different applications may increase the incidence of rosin-related hand eczema.

Topics: Abietanes; Allergens; Animals; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatitis, Occupational; Diterpenes; Eczema; Female; Guinea Pigs; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Immunization; Male; Paper; Patch Tests; Phenanthrenes; Resins, Plant

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Music; Pruritus Vulvae; Resins, Plant

Topics: Abietanes; Adult; Dermatitis, Occupational; Diterpenes; Eczema; General Surgery; Humans; Male; Paper; Phenanthrenes; Protective Clothing; Resins, Plant; Tars

Topics: Aged; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Resins, Plant; Sports; Tars; Thiazoles

Workers in a Swedish spice factory (n = 70), and in the office (n = 23) of the same company, were investigated by questionnaire regarding skin symptoms. In a 2nd part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms were examined and investigated by patch and prick testing. Skin symptoms were reported by 1/2 the factory workers. Pruritus and skin irritation, particularly from cinnamon powder, were common. Patch test reactions to cinnamic aldehyde were found in 11/25 factory workers, but in several cases, the nature of the reactions was difficult to evaluate. Irritant patch test reactions were seen from powders of cardamom, paprika and white pepper. On prick testing, 6/25 workers reacted to cinnamic aldehyde. The results illustrate the difficulties of patch testing with spices and indicate the need for further research and validation of methods.

Topics: 1-Propanol; Acrolein; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Patch Tests; Propanols; Resins, Plant; Spices; Surveys and Questionnaires

Skin-sensitizing rosin is present in Duraphat, a fluoride varnish used all over the world. Two cases of hypersensitivity to Duraphat are presented: a dental nurse with dermatitis of the hand and a patient with allergic contact stomatitis.

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Fluorides, Topical; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Middle Aged; Resins, Plant; Sodium Fluoride; Stomatitis

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Music; Nickel; Resins, Plant; Wood

Process and office workers at a Swedish paper mill (n = 274) and dairy workers (n = 45) were investigated with questionnaires regarding skin symptoms. In the second part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms and a random sample of subjects without symptoms were examined and investigated with patch testing. Pruritus and skin irritation probably related to exposure to dust were found. The results do not indicate an increased prevalence of contact allergy. In two cases, positive patch test reactions to paper size (rosin) and a slimicide, mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), were noted.

Topics: Adult; Chi-Square Distribution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Paper; Regression Analysis; Resins, Plant; Risk Factors; Single-Blind Method; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Industry; Male; Occupational Exposure; Paint; Paper; Resins, Plant; Tars

A nonatopic female secretary developed hand dermatitis after 1 year of full-time work with telefax paper. Her dermatitis improved on sick leave and vacation and relapsed at work. Patch testing showed allergic reactions to several fragrances, balsam of Peru, colophony and neomycin. In 3 patch test sessions, her own telefax papers gave a doubtful reaction which persisted for 4 days, but it could not be determined whether the reactions were allergic or irritant. The colophony content of the telefax paper was about 1%, and it was possible that colophony in the telefax paper was responsible for the weak path test reactions. Accordingly, the contact dermatitis would have been allergic. The patient has now been relocated, does not handle telefax paper, and is symptomless. We concluded that our patient had an occupational hand contact dermatitis induced by telefax paper and possibly caused by colophony allergy.

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Middle Aged; Paper; Resins, Plant

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Facial Dermatoses; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Music; Resins, Plant; Waxes

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Drug Eruptions; Humans; Male; Resins, Plant; Warts

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Music; Potassium Dichromate; Resins, Plant; Tars

Topics: Air Pollutants, Occupational; Chronic Disease; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Facial Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Photosensitivity Disorders; Resins, Plant

Topics: Dermatitis, Occupational; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Resins, Plant; Tars

The masseur of a famous ballet company developed severe contact dermatitis of his hands. Skin testing yielded a surprising result: not one of the suspected 23 different massage creams that the members of the ballet made him use gave a positive reaction. Only colophony, which was included in the standard test series, was positive. Colophony is regularly used on the shoes of dancers on wooden stages to prevent slipping. The masseur had to change his place of employment.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Dancing; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Erythema; Humans; Male; Massage; Resins, Plant

Soldering flux is a common cause of occupational dermatitis in the electronics industry. Several constituents of flux such as colophony, hydrazine and aminoethylethanolamine are contact allergens. A machine operator of a wave-soldering machine developed airborne allergic contact dermatitis to colophony in the flux.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Electronics; Humans; Male; Resins, Plant

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Resins, Plant; Urticaria

Topics: Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Electronics; Humans; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant

Two cases of allergic contact dermatitis from soldering fluxes are reported. Both were caused by rosin (colophony). One case was confirmed by a positive patch test to rosin purchased from a commercial European patch test supplier. The other could be confirmed only by a positive patch test to the specific rosin used to flux the solder; repeated patch tests to rosin purchased from the same European supplier were negative. Dermatitis from soldering fluxes is reviewed.

Topics: Adult; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Patch Tests; Resins, Plant

Colophony (rosin) derives from pine resin, tall oil and stump extractives. It is used as is or in chemically modified forms: hydrogenated, disproportionated, esterified, polymerized, as salt or reacted with maleic anhydride or formaldehyde. One of the largest single uses is in the sizing of paper and paperboard. There are hundreds of opportunities for a person to become exposed to colophony and modified products and thus sensitized to it, for example by contact with adhesive tapes, soaps, coating of price labels, eye shadow, periodontal and surgical dressings, furniture polish, glues, musician's rosin, printing inks, printing paper surfaces (newspapers), rubber, plastics etc. The main sensitising components seem to be abietic acid and Abitol (a mixture of different hydroabietyl alcohols). Dermatitis has been described in more than 60 articles; epidemiological studies demonstrate an increasing number of cases since 1980. As wood rosin has been replaced in recent years more and more by tall oil rosin, which is different in its composition, it is recommended to remove the colophony of the standard series (which is derived from pine gum) and to replace it by a mixture of pine, tall oil and stump rosin to diminish the number of probably missed allergic reactions.

Topics: Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Plant Oils; Resins, Plant