Contact Sensitivity to Diazolidinylurea (Germall II)

Summary

Diazolidinylurea (DU; Germall II) is a new broad-spectrum preservative. From July 1984 to February 1988, we tested 2142 consecutive patients suffering from eczemas of suspected allergic origin with the European standard series (Trolab) and our additional standard series including DU 2% in water. We found the following:

• 1. Sensitization to DU was seen in 12 patients (0.6%).

• 2. Of 12 patients, 7 reacted to DU, but not to formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers. In these patients, the reaction can be attributed to sensitivity to DU itself.

• 3. Of 12 patients, 5 reacted to DU, formaldehyde, and all formaldehyde releasers tested. In these patients, the reaction to DU is probably to be attributed to released formaldehyde; therefore, DU should be added to the list of formaldehyde releasers.

• 4. In some of the patients, concomitant sensitizations to strong and/or ubiquitous allergens (nickel, cobalt, chromate), or a long history of skin disease could be found; therefore, it seems reasonable to assume that in these cases sensitization to DU occurred secondarily on eczematous skin with reduced barrier function.