Methyldibromoglutaronitrile: An Increasingly Important Allergen in the UK

Methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) was introduced to the European market in 1985, as a preservative for cosmetics, toiletries and industrial products. Since its introduction 17 years ago, studies both in Europe and North America have highlighted it as an increasing new allergen especially in cosmetics. In industry, as MDBGN supersedes isothiazolinones in a wide range of products, its emergence as an important allergen in occupational contact dermatitis becomes more apparent. Dermatologists in the UK need to be aware of this rising new allergen and that the dermatitis can affect not only the head and neck region but also the perianal skin or hands when due to cosmetics, toiletries or industrial products, respectively.