Patch testing for permanent-press allergic contact dermatitis

During the decade of the 90s, 24 cases of permanent-press textile-resin contact dermatitis were identified. The most common allergen associated with these cases was dimethylol propylene urea (DMPU). Although previous reports had suggested ethylene urea melamine formaldehyde resin (EUMF) or dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) as the most appropriate test materials for this type of contact dermatitis, we could not confirm EUMF as appropriate but, with some limitations, can support DMDHEU due to its widespread and continued use. DMPU has been withdrawn from the marketplace and replaced with what may be less reactive materials. In this study, we also observed discordance between EUMF patch tests in the range of 30%, which is consistent with previous reports about the biovariability of patch test results.