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Patch testing with ammonium persulfate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2015-2018
Erin M Warshaw1, Jenna L Ruggiero2, Joel G DeKoven3
1Department of Dermatology, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Dermatology, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|August 14, 2021
Summary
Ammonium persulfate (APS) can cause allergic contact dermatitis, with 1.8% of patients testing positive. Male sex and hand dermatitis were significantly associated with APS reactions, often linked to swimming pools and hair products.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Ammonium persulfate (APS) is an oxidizing agent found in hair products, manufacturing, and recreational water.
- APS is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize positive patch test reactions to ammonium persulfate (APS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 10,526 patients tested with the North American Contact Dermatitis Group screening series from 2015 to 2018.
- Patch testing was performed using APS at 2.5% in petrolatum.
Main Results:
- 1.8% of patients (193/10,526) showed positive patch test reactions to APS.
- APS-positive patients were more likely to be male and have hand, generalized, or trunk dermatitis.
- Occupational dermatitis was more common in APS-positive individuals (22.2%), with hairdressers being a key group.
- Common sources of APS exposure included swimming pools/spas (23.3%) and hair care products (19.2%).
Conclusions:
- 1.8% of patients exhibited positive patch tests to APS.
- APS positivity is linked to male sex, hand dermatitis, and occupational exposures.
- Swimming pool and spa chemicals are significant sources of APS exposure leading to dermatitis.
