Octylisothiazolinone-A New Sensitizer in Over-Ear Headphones.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by isothiazolinones is a growing concern, particularly in consumer products. Octylisothiazolinone (OIT) is a potent sensitiser and commonly used as a preservative in rubbers, plastics and coatings, including those found in headphones. Despite increasing regulations on isothiazolinones in cosmetics, their presence in wearable devices remains under-recognised.

Aims: This investigation aims to identify OIT as a possible sensitiser in patients with presumed ACD due to over-ear headphones.

Methods: Two patients with presumed ACD due to over-ear headphones were patch tested at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö. Patch testing included Swedish baseline series, isothiazolinone compounds, and materials from headphones. To identify potential allergens, chemical analysis of components from headphones was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results: Patch testing demonstrated strong positive reactions to OIT in both cases, with additional reactions to acetone extracts of artificial leather and blue plastic foam. OIT remained positive at dilutions as low as 0.00003%. Case 1 also showed positive reactions to MI/MCI. Chemical analysis confirmed OIT in both artificial leather (2.2 mg/g) and plastic foam (0.3 mg/g).

Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of ACD by identifying OIT as a potential allergen in over-ear headphones. It calls for further research into the prevalence of OIT in consumer electronics and its role in sensitisation.