Chemical skin allergy solution

[Rosey333]

My daughter works at a veterinarian and has very sensitive skin.  She developed a reaction to the cleaner Clinicide, which contains ammonium chloride.  Her symptoms are swollen eyes, extreme dryness of skin, and red discoloration.  Her doctor had previously given her 4-day doses of Prednisone twice, which took the symptoms away for the most part, but the minute she went back to work, they came back.  Her workplace has now changed cleaners, but the dryness and swollen eyes persist, especially in the morning.  We have tried every kind of cream from vitamin E to aloe vera to cortisone cream (prescribed by the doctor) - the areas behind her ears and neck are very sore and oozing somewhat - any ideas as to what we can do.  

[lcrock]

A related discussion, chemical skin reaction was started.

[tobie741]

I recently used a stripping solution on wood and later recieved some weird raised rings with a dent in the middle.  The doctor thought it could be granuloma annulare but the biopsy had not came back yet.  does this sound possible. and if it is what can i do ?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes.  Your daughter should have patch testing (allergy to things that touch the skin.)  I have not seen cases of allergy to people who work in veterinarians' offices, so I don't know what the likely culprits are, and whether they can be eliminated.  But this doesn't just sound like sensitivity--it sounds like an allergy.  At any rate, I think that's what should be looked for.  Ask your daughter's dermatologist who does patch testing in your area, and push to have it done as soon as possible.  If nothing specific is found, or if whatever it is can't be eliminated, then your daughter might have to consider working in a different setting.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff