A Case of Contact Dermatitis Induced by a Petroleum-Based Dry Cleaning Solvent

Abstract

Background : Petroleum-based solvents have been widely used for dry cleaning in Korea. Although there has been a few reports of irritant contact dermatitis induced by petroleum-based dry cleaning solvents, this is the first case of contact dermatitis with peripheral eosinophilia in Korea. Case History : A 53 year old man had suffered from itching sensation, erythema and bullae in both arms. The onset time was 1 hour after wearing a jacket which had been dry cleaned the day earlier. The skin lesions were localized to the area in contact with the jacket, and the Nikolsky sign was seen. The patient had no history of previous allergic diseases. Results : Serum total IgE levels, peripheral eosinophil counts, eosinophil cationic protein levels and liver function test results (aspartate and alanine transaminase) were elevated. Histopathological examination of the skin biopsy specimen showed epidermal necrosis with superficial perivenular lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltration. He was negative for the patch test with maximum 1% of the solvent used at that laundry, which was composed of paraffin and naphten. Therefore, we thought that his skin lesion may be attributed to irritant reactions to this solvent. Conslusion : We report herein a case of contact dermatitis induced by a petroleum-based dry cleaning solvent.