Well folks, here it is....Allergen of the Year! Demethyl Fumarate! You can click on the link above to read the full article from the March 2011 issue of Skin and Allergy News.
Dimethyl fumarate is a substance that is used in shipping to inhibit the growth of mold - specifically, shipments or furniture, clothing and shoes. "The substance caused an epidemic in Europe starting in 2007." The substance is now being regulated in Europe, "although apparently some stuff is still sneaking through," Dr. Donald V. Belsito said. Dimethyl fumarate "produces an extremely severe dermatitis."
Severe cases of dermatitis began appearing in Sweden and the UK. The severe rash was predominantly on the backs of the legs, buttocks and back. The common link with each patient - the had each recently purchased furniture from a particular Chinese manufacturer. It then became commonly called "sofa dermatitis."
Dimethyl fumarate is so volatile it can vaporize within 6 weeks. The vapors cause the dermatitis - sometimes spread out and sometimes patch - after permeating the sofas, clothing, and shoe products during shipment.
Neomycin was the 2010 Allergen of the Year. Neomycin was chosen because of its widespread use as an over-the-counter antibiotic product. Gold was the 2001 Allergen of the Year. Reactions to gold are common and clinically problematic. Bacitracin (2003) is another common allergen.
Don't forget, click on the title above to go to the full article in Skin & Allergy News Vol. 42, No. 3 March 2011 or click Skin & Allergy News
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