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Two cases of allergic contact dermatitis due to occupational exposure to Euxyl-K-400 (EK400) were summarized. The cases were identified from among a group of 736 patients with suspected occupational contact dermatitis who were patch tested at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki between January 1989 and April 1996. The first case was a 43 year (yr) old nonatopic male offset printer with a 10yr history of hand dermatitis. He reported that he had washed his hands 20 times a day for 3yr with Dreumex, a cleanser that contained EK400. Before being sensitized to EK400, he developed irritant hand dermatitis simply as a result of his frequent washing. His hand dermatitis disappeared when he stopped using Dreumex. The second case was a 60yr old nonatopic female hospital cleaner with a 1.5yr history of finger dermatitis. She reported washing dishes with Prilan, a liquid detergent containing EK400, several times daily without wearing gloves. Her dermatitis cleared when she stopped using Prilan. The chemical and dermatotoxic properties of EK400 were discussed. EK400 consists of 20% 1,2-bromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (DBDCB) and 80% phenoxyethanol. DBDCB is the primary sensitizer. It has been used in cosmetics and toiletries and as an industrial preservative in water based paints, glues, and metalworking fluids. Although it has been regarded as having low sensitizing potential, a number of cases of occupational allergic dermatitis have been reported as a result of contact with DBDCB. The incidence of DBDCB contact sensitization based on cases reported to the Finnish Registry of Occupational Diseases between 1990 and 1995 was 0.2%.
Contact Dermatitis, 35(3):193-194, 1996. (15 references)
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