p-tert.-Butylphenol formaldehyde and other causes of shoe dermatitis

Because p-tert.-butylphenolformaldehyde-free shoes are unavailable in the Dutch market we had to have shoes made of alternative materials for 13 patients reacting to this resin. These alternative materials consisted of leather samples prepared with various tanning agents, counters (heel stiffeners), stitching yarns, adhesives, etc. The composition of these alternative materials was kept a secret. New shoes were composed of materials to which the patient had shown negative reactions. These shoes are well tolerated. Only one patient reacted to virtually all materials tested. She may have an excited skin syndrome. She will be tested in the near future with the necessary materials applied one by one to find out whether this is true. Up to present we have encountered only a few shoe positive patients who have neither reacted to the resin, nor to a series of alternative adhesives. These patients will be studied in more detail as to the origin of their dermatitis.