Contact allergy to diazolidinyl urea (Germall II)

4 cases of contact allergy to diazolidinyl urea (Germall II) in a "hypoallergenic" brand of cosmetics are described. 2 patients sensitized by these cosmetics were not allergic to formaldehyde. 2 other patients already sensitive to formaldehyde had exacerbations of dermatitis due to diazolidinyl urea. The following tentative conclusions were drawn. (i) Contact allergy to diazolidinyl urea may or may not be due to formaldehyde sensitivity. (ii) Patients allergic to formaldehyde may suffer contact allergic reactions from the use of cosmetics containing diazolidinyl urea. (iii) Patients sensitized to diazolidinyl urea may cross-react to imidazolidinyl urea and vice-versa. (iv) It is suggested that the sensitizing potential of diazolidinyl urea is greater than that of imidazolidinyl urea. (v) Aq. solutions may be preferable to pet. for patch testing with diazolidinyl urea.