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Patch testing with sodium disulfite: North American Contact Dermatitis Group experience, 2017 to 2018
Erin M Warshaw1,2,3, Michele Buonomo1,3,4, Joel G DeKoven5
1Department of Dermatology, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Contact Dermatitis
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Sodium disulfite (SD) causes allergic contact dermatitis in 2.7% of patients. Clinically relevant reactions were linked to personal care products and medications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Sodium disulfite (SD), also known as sodium metabisulfite, is an emerging allergen.
- It is increasingly recognized as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients with positive patch test reactions to SD.
- To analyze reaction strength, clinical relevance, and sources of SD allergy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients patch tested with SD (1% petrolatum).
- Data collected by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) from 2017 to 2018.
Main Results:
- 2.7% of patients (132/4885) showed positive SD patch test reactions.
- Positive reactors were more likely male and over 40 years old.
- Clinically relevant reactions were common, often linked to personal care products (e.g., hair dye) and medications/alcoholic beverages.
Conclusions:
- Sodium disulfite allergy is confirmed in 2.7% of tested individuals.
- Reactions are frequently clinically relevant.
- Common sources include personal care products and ingestibles like medications and alcoholic beverages.
