p-tert-Butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (PTBP-F-R)

PTBP-F-R is a binder used mainly in adhesives and in paints. It has been described as a component in glues for shoes, leather products, automobile upholstery, furniture, artificial fingernails, and hobbies. It has also been found in adhesive labels, athletic tapes, raincoats, and ink for marking pens.

1. Contact allergy is established by patch testing with the standard patch test series.
   Relevance can sometimes be difficult to establish/show.
   
   
2. Present exposure
   
   1. Known exposure
      It can be established that the patient is exposed to the resin or to products containing the resin. Contact with the producer or chemical analysis of a product is often needed to confirm the presence of PTBP-F-R. Information on PTBP-F-R can be missing in material safety data sheets.
      
      
   2. Possible exposure
      Exposure can come from use of glues, especially contact adhesives, and paints,
      especially alkyd paints. Other exposures are contact with glued products such as
      shoes, leather watch straps, detoration braces and others.
      
      
   3. Unknown exposure
      Unknown exposure to PTBP-F-R probably can occur because the resin can be used without declaration on products. Very low amounts of the resin can cause dermatitis in sensitized patients.
      
   
   
3. Dermatitis, course and localisation
   
   1. There is a relationship with the known or possible exposure.
      
      
   2. There is a possible relationship with the known exposure.
      
      
   3. The relationship is unknown.
      
   
   
4. Assessment
   
   1. Allergic contact dermatitis from PTBP-F-R = 3a (There is a relationship with the known or
      possible exposure)
      
      
   2. Possible allergic contact dermatitis from PTBP-F-R = 3b (There is a possible relationship
      with the known exposure)
      
      
   3. No clinical relevance can be found = 3c (The relationship is unknown.)
      In this case the patients should be patch tested with p-tert-butylcatechol.
      
      p-tert-Butylcatechol is used as an antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor in e.g. styrene.
      p- tert-Butylcatechol cross-reacts to sensitizers in PTBP-F-R, induces cross reactions to
      other PTBP-F-R allergens and can also be present in PTBP-F-R.