Contact Allergy to Ethanol ȔCross Sensitivity between Alcohols and Lanolin DerivativesȔ

Abstract

Previously, it was reported that most of the patients sensitive to hydrogenated lanolin containing main allergen (diols) such as alkane-α, β-diols and alkane-α, β-diol cross reacted highly to ethanol, methanol, and 2-propanol. Seventeen patients with eczematous reactions to ethanol were examined. Contact allergy to ethanol was caused mainly by astrigents or alcoholic beverages and to as lesser extent by antifungal and antibacterial agents, antiperspirants and deoderant. All patients were tested for cross sensitivity between alcohols and lanolin derivatives, Nine of them had cross-reactions to methanol, six to 2-propanol, five to hydrogenated lanolin and to wool alcohol, and two to lanolin. In six patients with eczematous reactions to astringents, alcoholic beverages and ethanol, cross sensitivity between alcohols and lanolin derivatives were studied. One of them gave cross-reactions to n-butyl alcohol, n-amyl alcohol, hydrogenated lanolin and wool alcohol. Another gave cross-reactions to cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, lanolin, hydrogenated lanolin and wool alcohol. Two of them had generalized skin symptoms also after consumption of alcoholic beverages. © 1985, Meeting of Osaka Dermatological Association. All rights reserved.