Ammonium Bisulfite Contact Dermatitis: Face Eczema Due to a Bleaching Ointment Used During Hair-Dyeing
July 2006
in “
Contact dermatitis
”
TLDR Ammonium bisulfite in hair bleach can cause facial eczema.
The document described multiple cases of contact dermatitis related to various allergens in cosmetic and medicinal products. One notable case involved a 41-year-old woman who developed facial eczema from ammonium bisulfite in a bleaching ointment used during hair-dying, despite previous tolerance to the same henna dye. Patch testing confirmed a strong positive reaction to ammonium bisulfite, highlighting that sulfites, though generally weak sensitizers, can cause allergic reactions. The study emphasized the importance for dermatologists to consider sulfites and other potential allergens in hair care products.