[Formaldehyde in hair shampoos]

In most hair shampoos commercially available in Western Germany formaldehyde or formaldehyde liberating substances serve as efficient preservatives especially in shampoos of the lower price group. Besides, PHB-ester, mercury containing substances and since recently brome compounds are used for this purpose. We observed a 15 year old patient who developed an allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde in a hair shampoo. However, compared to the widespread opportunities of exposure allergic contact dermatitis caused by hair shampoos is not very frequent. For this rarity of formaldehyde dermatitis caused by shampoos the short period of application and the low concentration because of the high dilution and perhaps the low contact dermatitis reactivity of the scalp are responsible. After all only two out of thirtyone thoroughly questioned patients, who had acquired a professional formaldehyde sensitivity elsewhere, reported a contact dermatitis caused by shampoos, which by the way appeared in the orbital region as typical. Probably allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde in shampoos will be expected in patients with a formaldehyde sensitivity acquired formerly elsewhere, especially professionally. To those patients formaldehyde free hair shampoos should be recommended. The declaration of formaledehyde in cosmetics, which will be legally obligatory in Germany in 1979, will be valuable for finding out the alternate products free of formaldehyde.