Article information
Abstract
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor that is widely used as a preservative in toiletries and cosmetics and in products for household and industrial use. Both formaldehyde itself and substances that can release it are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. This condition often becomes chronic, given that these allergens are found nearly everywhere and it is difficult for patients to avoid them completely. This article reviews the sources of exposure to formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers and the clinical manifestations of allergen exposure. We also review current debates and recent developments and propose guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with formaldehyde contact dermatitis.
Keywords:
Allergic contact dermatitis
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde releasers
Patch tests
Resumen
El formaldehído es un gas incoloro de olor penetrante que se emplea como conservante en gran cantidad de productos de higiene y cosméticos, domésticos y de aplicación industrial. Tanto el formaldehído como las sustancias capaces de liberar formaldehído son una causa común de dermatitis de contacto alérgica que, a menudo, se cronifica dada la dificultad que tienen los pacientes alérgicos para evitar por completo estos alérgenos de distribución tan ubicua. El presente artículo pretende repasar las fuentes de exposición a formaldehído y liberadores de formaldehído, las manifestaciones clínicas generadas por estos alérgenos y las controversias y novedades existentes respecto a este tema en la actualidad. Además proponemos unas pautas para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de estos pacientes.
Palabras Clave:
Dermatitis de contacto alérgica
Formaldehído
Liberadores de formaldehido
Pruebas epicutáneas
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