Dermatitis por Slime

Published in Dermatology

Journal Scan / Commentary · May 01, 2019

Another Source of Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Isothiazolinones in Children

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

• This report describes the case of a 11-year old girl who developed allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) after using Slime (both commercial Slime and homemade slime, made using white glue, which contains high levels of benzisothiazolinone). Slime has become a widely popular toy among children, with many cases of S/slime-associated dermatitis reported within the last year.

• As these allergic children may require life-long avoidance of other sources of isothiazolinones, which are prevalent, the authors suggest an increased awareness of this emerging trend in ACD and call for regulations on S/slime, which can lead to early sensitization.

– InYoung Kim, MD, PhD

Written by

 

 

Christen Maria MowadMD

Slime is a stretchable, unique play material that has become very popular as a childhood/preteen toy. It can be purchased commercially, but more recent trends have focused on homemade versions with several recipes. Hand dermatitis is increasingly being associated with the use of slime, most notably, to the ingredient methylisothiazolinone (MI). Allergy to MI is well-known, and this allergen was selected as the American Contact Dermatitis Allergen of the Year for 2013. It was identified as a preservative that was being used as a standalone and was not being reliably detected as part of the methylchloroisothiazolinone / MI mix. It is now routinely tested alone in most expanded patch testing series. 

The arrival of slime has shown us yet another avenue for this allergen to be found beyond its more traditional use in personal care products. Homemade slime has several recipes, but it is often composed of glue, shaving cream, laundry detergent, or contact lens solutions. Several reports of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands have been reported from exposure to these slime products, and allergy to MI has been found as the most common culprit. The MI is typically found in the glues used to make the slime. Exposure and resultant allergy to MI frequently used as a preservative in many personal care products means lifelong avoidance. 

Calls for limitations in the use of this allergen have been useful for decreasing allergy in the EU. Perhaps limitations in other arenas beyond personal care products are also needed. When evaluating children with hand dermatitis, clinicians should be aware of the slime phenomenon, ask about its use, and patch test appropriately.

Abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from isothiazolinones is frequent and following an epidemic sensitization their use in leave-on products in Europe was forbidden and restricted that in rinse-off cosmetics, with a consequent decrease in the frequency of new cases in Europe, but still not evident in Portugal. Although more common in adults, methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) are also prevalent paediatric contact sensitizers.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV

Another Source of Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Isothiazolinones in Children—Urgent Call for Regulation

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Mar 29;[EPub Ahead of Print], F Morgado, M Batista, L Ramos, M Gonçalo 

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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