Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone allergic contact dermatitis and the effect of patch test concentration.

BACKGROUND

The isothiazolinones methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) are the active ingredients in a frequently used preservative in cosmetic, household, and industrial products.

OBJECTIVES

This study reviewed our department's cases of allergic contact dermatitis caused by MCI/MI, outlining their clinical presentation and possible sources of sensitization. The effect of changing the concentration of MCI/MI from 0.01% to 0.02% in the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy baseline series was also measured.

METHODS

A total of 964 patients were patch tested to the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy baseline series in our department over 4 years. Patients were tested either to 0.01% MCI/MI (697) or 0.02% MCI/MI (267).

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (2.2%) had positive reactions to MCI/MI. Of patients tested to 0.02% MCI/MI, 3.8% had a positive reaction compared with 1.6% of those tested to MCI/MI 0.01%. Ten patients (48%) had perianal dermatitis; of these, 50% had used moist toilet wipes.

CONCLUSIONS

We highlight MCI/MI as important contact allergens found in moist toilet wipes and should be considered particularly in patients with facial, hand, and perianal allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing to 0.01% MCI/MI may underestimate its allergenic potential, missing more than half of allergic cases compared with testing to 0.02%. To identify isothiazolinone allergy, we recommend that 0.02% MCI/MI should be used in baseline series.