Allergic contact dermatitis due to hexamethylenetetramine in core molding

Hexamethylenetetramine is an odorless powder and slowly liberates formaldehyde in an acid medium or when heated. It is usually used in the manufacture of formaldehyde resins, rubber and the explosive, cyclonite. It is also used as a hardener in core molding processes. It was reported as one of the formaldehyde releasers and as a cause of formaldehyde contact dermatitis. We report an allergic contact dermatitis due to hexamethylenetetramine, with a positive patch test reaction to hexamethylenetetramine (1% pet.) but not to formaldehyde (2% aq.). We concluded that this case was an allergic contact dermatitis from hexamethylenetetramine itself.