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Contact dermatitis in a woodworker
Christine E Correale1, James G Marks
1Department of Dermatology, Pean State University College of Medicine, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
Summary
Wood exposure can cause allergic contact dermatitis. An 84-year-old woodworker developed this condition from Bolivian rosewood and Cocobolo wood, which resolved upon avoidance.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Woods can cause allergic or irritant contact dermatitis on exposed skin.
- Common wood allergens include quinones, stilbenes, phenols, and terpenes.
Observation:
- An 84-year-old woodworker presented with chronic dermatitis.
- The patient had regular exposure to Bolivian rosewood and Cocobolo wood.
Findings:
- Patch testing revealed positive reactions to methyldibromo glutaronitrile phenoxyethanol, sodium gold thiosulfate, Bolivian rosewood, and Cocobolo wood.
- Allergens in Bolivian rosewood and Cocobolo wood were identified as the cause of the patient's dermatitis.
Implications:
- Identifying specific wood allergens is crucial for managing occupational contact dermatitis.
- Avoiding causative woods effectively resolved the patient's chronic dermatitis.