Case Presentation
A 9 year old female presented to our dermatology office with complaints of fingertip dermatitis. Given the limited dermatitis to the hands it raised the suspicion of allergic contact dermatitis. Questioning revealed that the patient frequently made and played with slime. On examination the patient’s fingertips had red blistering fissures, with some leather appearing dryness and open wounds (see image below).
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| Dermatitis resolved after 2 weeks of Betamethasone ointment. |
Do it Yourself (DIY) slime can be a fun project for kids and family, and often requires very little labor in creating the slime when paired with the necessary household materials.
Ingredients for slime:
Elmer's school glue
Baking soda
Water
Shaving cream
Sodium borate/Boric acid (contact lens solution)
Ingredients for Slime
From the ingredients listed above, Isothiazolinone (Cl+ Me-) is present in the adhesive glues used when making slime. Cl+ Me-Isothiazolinone contains methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCl) and methylisothiazolinone(MI), which are commonly found in preservatives, biocides, personal care, household and industrial products.
The patient in this case tested positive for Isothiazolinone (Cl+ Me-), indicating she is allergic to one or both MCl and MI. Typical symptoms when in contact with either or both of these substances are redness, swelling, itching and fluid filled blisters. Both consumers and dermatologists should be aware of cases that present with hand dermatitis, particularly in younger patients, which may be linked to slime use. Such cases involving slime have become an epidemic in the US being most commonly traced to the MI allergen. The MI allergen gained such popularity that it was selected as the American Contact Dermatitis Allergen of the Year for 2013.
All-purpose glues, such as Gorilla glue, statistically contain significantly lower concentrations of MCl and MI than craft glues, such as Elmer’s glue. Cases of contact dermatitis involving Isothiazolinone have doubled in the recent decade due to more products being produced with the ingredient and with higher concentrations.
These unique cases can be identified, treated and prevented with great success. Upon identification of the allergy using the T.R.U.E test, the patient was advised to wear gloves as a precaution when playing with slime and avoid any skin contact with the slime. The patient’s treatment plan also consisted of applying a prescribed topical steroid, Betamethasone ointment, for 2 weeks. At the patient’s 2 week follow up the patients contact dermatitis irritation was completely resolved. Depending on the severity of a patient's condition, avoiding the irritant and allergen, along with applying creams and medications should reduce the itching and allow the rash to resolve within days or up to 4 weeks.
Fear not! Slime can still be a joyful, fun and sticky activity to participate using alternative Isothiazolinone FREE glue brands. Listed below are brands of glue from 2016 which are SAFE and FREE of Isothiazolinone, and NOT SAFE. These brands can be found and purchased off of Amazon.
SAFE: Brian Clegg Adhesives, Kores glue stick, Oekonorm glue and Onyx & Green glue stick.
NOT SAFE: Crafter’s pick, Artidee, Elmer’s, Gorilla glue, Blick glue, all kids glues and glue sticks.
Though these results may be frustrating, there are also alternative recipes in making slime without the use of glue, provided in the link below.
Wanting to try something new and are feeling adventurous, make edible slime! The recipe provided in the link below uses natural food based ingredients and is supported by many of your fellow crafty slime lovers who also have children who are allergic to Isothiazolinone. If you are inspired to try these new tasty slimes, the link to the family friendly website and instructions are below.
12 Fun and Edible Slime Recipes
Allergy-Friendly Edible Slime”