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FORMALDEHYDE
This patient information on
Formaldeyde is provided by John L. Meisenheimer, M.D. a board certified Dermatologist
and skin care specialist based in Orlando, Florida. This information is
not intended as a substitute for the medical advice or treatment of a dermatologist or other
physician.
The results from your patch testing showed a positive reaction (contact allergy)
to Formaldehyde. Your immune system reacts with its defense mechanisms with each
exposure of Formaldehyde to your skin. It is unknown why certain individuals
develop allergic sensitivities. In some it may take repeat exposures over long
periods of time before an allergy develops. Once you have become sensitized
(allergic) your immune system always "remembers" and you will be Formaldehyde
sensitive. If you currently have eczema this chemical may be the cause but other
factors may play a role as well. The information below will help you avoid this
allergen.
Formaldehyde is found virtually everywhere, inside and outdoors. It is
naturally occurring and man-made. It is widely used in building materials. The
number of products that contain formaldehyde is impressive. Unfortunately it is
almost impossible to avoid small quantities of formaldehyde. Most our exposures
to formaldehyde is airborne usually with little effect. The most common skin
exposures fabric finishes in clothing and formaldehyde releasing preservatives
in skin care products.
Where is chemical found?
►Antiperspirant
►Astringent
►Automobile exhaust
►Building products
►Cigarette smoke
►Contraceptives
►Coolants
►Cosmetics
►Cutting fluids
►Dental plastics
►Disinfectants
►Dry cleaning materials
►Embalming solutions
►Fabric finishes
►Fertilizers
►Fiberboard
►Glue
►Home cleansers
►Insulation
►Leather tanning
►Linens
►Mascara
►Medicated creams
►Metal working fluids
►Mouthwash
►Nail polish
►Over the counter medications
►Paint
►Pathology fixatives
►Plastics and resins
►Paper
►Pesticides
►Photographic chemicals
►Plywood
►Rubber products
►Shampoo
►Shoes
►Smoke from wood, charcoal and coal fires.
►Tanning agents
►Textiles
►Varnishes
►Wart remedies
►Wood composites
Hints on avoiding chemical:
►Avoid permanent press and wrinkle free clothing.
►Avoid clothing needing to be dry-cleaned.
►100% cotton, polyester or nylon clothing generally contains less formaldehyde
than mixes.
►Choose products listed only on your personalized contact allergen database,
which has been provided to you. Products listed on your contact allergen
resource database will be free of Formaldehyde and safe to use.
►Please be aware that if your spouse or significant other uses topical skincare
products that contain this chemical skin to skin transfer may occur to you.
►It may take 2 to 3 weeks of avoiding exposure before improvement of your
eruption begins.
Other names you may see Formaldehyde listed as or may be formaldehyde releasers:
Bakzid P
Biocide DS 5249
Bronopol
Dantoin MDMH
Dowicil 200
Dowicil 75
Formaldehyde
Formalin (aqueous)
Formol
Germall 115 9 (imidazolidinyl urea)
Germall II (diazolidinyl urea)
Glydant (DMDM dimethylolmethyl hydantoin
Grotan BK
Grotan HD2
Methanal (gas)
Methyaldehyde (gas)
Methylene oxide (gas)
Morbicid
Myacide BT
Onyxide 200
Oxymethylene
Paraformaldehyde
Parmetol K50
Polyoxymethylene urea
Preventol D1, -D2, -D3
Quaternium-15
Triadine-10
Tris nitro
Tris Nitro
Vancide TH
Veracur
Possible Occupational Exposures:
Over million people in the United States has potential occupational exposure to
formaldehyde.
Occupations that have higher than normal risk include:
Physicians
Nurses
Veterinarians
Embalmers
Clothing industry workers
Furniture factory workers
© John L. Meisenheimer, M.D.
2004 WWW.OrlandoSkinDoc.com
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