M H Beck

Publications of M H Beck

• An outbreak of furniture related dermatitis ('sofa dermatitis') in Finland and the UK: history and clinical cases.

  Authors: P Susitaival, S M Winhoven, J Williams, K Lammintausta, T Hasan, M H Beck, B Gruvberger, E Zimerson, M Bruze

  Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV. 09/2009;

  In February 2007, an epidemic of severe dermatitis from Chinese recliner chairs and sofas started to unfold first in Finland and a few months later in the UK. Some patients reacted in patch testsIn February 2007, an epidemic of severe dermatitis from Chinese recliner chairs and sofas started to unfold first in Finland and a few months later in the UK. Some patients reacted in patch tests (PTs) strongly to the material of their furniture, either leather or fabric. There have been hundreds of reports of chair or sofa dermatitis from Finland and the UK, with all cases linked to the same furniture factory in China. Clinical findings in both countries were very similar and unlike any known dermatosis. Many cases have been quite severe, resembling mycosis fungoides or septic infections, requiring hospitalization. Commercial PTs did not reveal the cause but a fungicide was strongly suspected, although such use was denied by the factory. The laboratory of Malmö University Dermatology Clinic has helped in the process by making thin layer chromatograms from sofa or chair materials and test substances of suspected chemicals. Finally, sachets marked with 'mouldproof agent' were found in varying numbers and distribution in the sofas. These contained dimethyl fumarate (DMF) which proved in skin tests to cause strong positive reactions with down to 0.01 dilution. Reports from other countries (Belgium, France, Ireland, Sweden and Spain) have since appeared, and the EU has banned the use of DMF in consumer products.

• Multiple positive allergic reactions from patch testing to p-phenylenediamine and azo dyes. Is this a frequent risk and can it be reduced?

  Authors: S M Winhoven, K J Rutter, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 04/2008; 58(3):182-3.

• Toluene-2,5-diamine may be an isolated allergy in individuals sensitized by permanent hair dye.

  Authors: S M Winhoven, K J Rutter, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 10/2007; 57(3):193.

• Chelitis from contact allergy to citral in lip salve.

  Authors: E Hindle, J Ashworth, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 09/2007; 57(2):125-6.

• Contact sensitivity to octyldodecanol and trometamol in an anti-itch cream.

  Authors: M Singh, S M Winhoven, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 06/2007; 56(5):289-90.

• Octyl salicylate: a new contact sensitivity.

  Authors: M Singh, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 02/2007; 56(1):48.

  We describe acute contact sensitivity to octyl salicylate, an ultraviolet filter, used in many cosmetics and sunscreens.

• Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala salmonis.

  Authors: V Madan, D Bisset, P Harris, S Howard, M H Beck

  The British journal of dermatology. 12/2006; 155(5):1082-4.

• Urinary retention caused by topical glycopyrrolate for hyperhidrosis.

  Authors: V Madan, M H Beck

  The British journal of dermatology. 10/2006; 155(3):634-5.

• Toxicodendron dermatitis in the UK.

  Authors: S L Walker, J T Lear, M H Beck

  International journal of dermatology. 08/2006; 45(7):810-3.

  BACKGROUND: We present two cases of Toxicodendron dermatitis, one acquired in the United States but presenting in the United Kingdom (UK), the other a recurrent dermatitis following importation ofBACKGROUND: We present two cases of Toxicodendron dermatitis, one acquired in the United States but presenting in the United Kingdom (UK), the other a recurrent dermatitis following importation of the plant to the UK. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are native to North America and belong to the genus Toxicodendron. This group of plants is of interest to the dermatologist because they contain a mixture of potent sensitisers which cause a severe allergic contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The dermatitis can present to the dermatologist in Europe after an individual has been in contact with the plant whilst visiting an endemic area. The plants have the potential to grow in Europe and it is therefore possible for an individual to be sensitised and subsequently to develop the rash without leaving the continent.

• Occupational photoallergic contact dermatitis in a pharmaceutical worker manufacturing carprofen, a canine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

  Authors: S L Walker, R D Ead, M H Beck

  The British journal of dermatology. 04/2006; 154(3):569-70.

• Contact allergy to octocrylene in sunscreen with recurrence from passive transfer of a cosmetic.

  Authors: V Madan, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 11/2005; 53(4):241-2.

• Occupational contact urticaria from walnut associated with hand eczema.

  Authors: C Mendonca, V Madan, S Austin, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 10/2005; 53(3):173-4.

• Undiagnosed Hailey-Hailey disease causing painful erosive skin changes during patch testing.

  Authors: S L Walker, M H Beck

  The British journal of dermatology. 08/2005; 153(1):233-4.

• Two cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis to p-aminophenol in pharmaceutical workers manufacturing paracetamol.

  Authors: S L Walker, R D Ead, D B Shackleton, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 06/2005; 52(5):290-1.

• Contact urticaria due to p-chloro-m-cresol.

  Authors: S L Walker, R J G Chalmers, M H Beck

  The British journal of dermatology. 11/2004; 151(4):936-7.

• Contact dermatitis from Diazald.

  Authors: H S Young, N J E Wilson, J Winter, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 06/2004; 50(5):315-6.

• Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in a varnish maker, followed by sensitization to benzalkonium chloride in Oilatum Plus bath additive.

  Authors: S L Walker, J A Yell, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 03/2004; 50(2):104-5.

• Contact dermatitis from 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one in a PhD student.

  Authors: H S Young, J E F Ferguson, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 02/2004; 50(1):47-8.

• Post-coital contact dermatitis from methyldibromo glutaronitrile.

  Authors: H S Young, M H Beck

  Contact dermatitis. 02/2004; 50(1):48.

• Pyoderma gangrenosum in a thoracotomy wound associated with a pulmonary cavitating lesion.

  Authors: Y W Wong, C C Lyon, E W Benbow, B L Bradley, M H Beck

  Clinical and experimental dermatology. 06/2003; 28(3):274-6.

  We present a patient with both pyoderma gangrenosum in a thoracotomy wound and a pulmonary cavitating lesion with the histological features of Wegener's granulomatosis. An ulcer with blue underminedWe present a patient with both pyoderma gangrenosum in a thoracotomy wound and a pulmonary cavitating lesion with the histological features of Wegener's granulomatosis. An ulcer with blue undermined edges developed in our patient's thoracotomy scar after a lobectomy was carried out for the cavitating lung lesion and c Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (cANCA), which is highly specific for active Wegener's granulomatosis but was negative at the time of her skin lesion. This suggests that our patient had cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum rather than cutaneous Wegener's granulomatosis, although the two conditions may occasionally have similar clinical and histological features.