Contact allergy to 2‐hydroxy‐5‐tert‐butyl benzylalcohol and 2,6‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐tert‐butylphenol, components of a phenolic resin used in marking pens

Abstract

2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl benzylalcohol and 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-tert-butylphenol were identified as contact allergens in a phenolic resin used as a tackifier in the ink of a marking pen, which, after being used directly on the skin, caused an acute contact dermatitis on the hand of a 13-year-old boy. The patient also reacted to 4-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (BPF resin) 1% pet. included in the European standard series.