4,4'-Thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), an antioxidant in medical devices that may cause allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Antioxidants in medical devices, added to protect polymers or adhesives, may also cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.

OBJECTIVES

To present data on sensitization to 4,4'-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), an antioxidant detected in some types of medical devices, for six patients that experienced eczematous reactions to different medical devices.

METHODS

Patch testing with 4,4'-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 1% pet was performed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for identification of 4,4'-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol) in different medical device products.

RESULTS

Six patients with contact allergy to 4,4'-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol) also had relevant contact allergic reactions to medical devices containing the antioxidant. The presence of the antioxidant in products was detected using GC-MS analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The antioxidant 4,4'-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol) may cause allergic contact dermatitis after exposure to different medical devices.