A case of contact dermatitis to dimethylfumarate in shoes identified in Italy

Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2010;46(4):366-9. doi: 10.4415/ANN_10_04_04.

Abstract

The present paper describes a case of shoe contact dermatitis from DMF identified by the Poison Control Centre of Milan (PCCM), Italy, in 2009. A 35 year old woman was affected by irritant reactions while wearing shoes contaminated with DMF. Exposure to these shoes was limited to a 8 hour period and was not repeated. In the following days the patient suffered feet blistering and swelling limited to the area in contact with shoe vamp. Topical application of cortisone did not prevent development of bullous eczema. After 20 days from exposure, the lesions were healed but the skin remained red, dry and very sensitive. Chemical analyses of shoes quantified an average concentration of DMF of 383 mg/kg. The patient refused to be patch tested. The observation here reported confirm that DMF should be considered a possible causal agent in shoe contact dermatitis. Documentation of cases exposed to this chemical provide a relevant support to characterize clinical manifestations and to identifying contaminated articles.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dermatitis, Contact / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Contact / etiology*
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Dimethyl Fumarate
  • Female
  • Foot Diseases / diagnosis
  • Foot Diseases / etiology*
  • Fumarates / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Shoes / adverse effects*
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Fumarates
  • Dimethyl Fumarate