Recreational Allergic Contact Dermatitis to "Epoxy UV" Resins: A New Source of Exposure to Hidden (Meth)acrylates.
Nadia Raison-Peyron, Sylvain Caillol, Jean Luc Bourrain et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
Three people developed eczematous eruptions after using products labelled “epoxy UV” resin to make jewellery. Patch testing showed sensitization to (meth)acrylates, but not to the epoxy compounds tested. Proton NMR analysis identified 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and an ethoxylated bisphenol A-based diacrylate oligomer in each of the three resins selected for analysis; two also contained di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and poly(propylene glycol) diacrylate. One patient’s resin could not be analysed because of a technical problem. The findings implicated hidden (meth)acrylates in the products rather than epoxy compounds.
What made this case unusual
Products marketed as “epoxy UV” resin contained identifiable (meth)acrylates, creating a mismatch between the product label and the allergens implicated by testing.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In dermatitis linked to “epoxy UV” craft resins, consider testing for (meth)acrylate allergy; a negative result to epoxy compounds does not exclude an allergen in the product.
Why it matters
Chemical analysis of the resin can help clarify exposure when product labelling does not reflect its sensitizing components.