Oral and dental products.Reactions involving the tongue, gums, mucus membranes, lips and skin around the mouth can be related to various dental and oral products. The resultant contact dermatitis can be due to metals from dental work, flavorings from toothpaste, mouth washes, chewing gums, foods from the Toxicodendron family (such as mangoes) and lipsticks/lip balms.
The most common causes of contact dermatitis involving the mouth include flavorings (Balsam of Peru, cinnamic aldehyde) and other chemicals found in toothpaste and mouth washes.
Metals used in dentistry are known to cause contact dermatitis in the mouth, and include mercury, chromium, nickel, gold, cobalt, beryllium and palladium.
Surgical Implant Devices.While reactions to metal surgical implant devices are often suspected, reactions to the implants are rarely proven. Symptoms may include rashes (either over the site of the implant or generalized) and loosening of the implant, and can occur as a result of the metal or acrylic glues used with the hardware. Screening patch testing with the metals found in the implant device prior to surgery may help identify people who are at risk of future reactions to surgical implant devices.
Systemic Contact Dermatitis. Systemic (or whole-body) contact dermatitis, can occur as a result of medications, chemicals and foods. The following are examples of these systemic contact dermatitis reactions:
- Intravenous aminophylline (sometimes used to treat severe asthma), which contains ethylenediamine
- People who use topical Benadryl products may develop an allergy to oral forms of Benadryl
- People with diabetes who use topical sulfa drugs or topical benzocaine may react to some oral diabetes medications (such as tolbutamide or chloropropamide)
- People who are nickel sensitive who drink tap water containing nickel or foods cooked with nickel utensils.
- People with cobalt sensitivity who receive large doses of vitamin b12
- Gold sensitive people who receive gold injections for rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain fragrance sensitive people may react to citrus fruits or certain spices
Want to keep learning? Watch patch testing being performed, which is the method used to diagnose contact dermatitis.
Source: Beltrani VS, Bernstein IL, Cohen DE, Fonacier L. Contact Dermatitis: A Practice Parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97:S1-38.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.
