A‘forgotten’topical anaesthetic sensitizer: butyl aminobenzoate

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1991.tb01808.x

Paper

A‘forgotten’topical anaesthetic sensitizer: butyl aminobenzoate

Published Aug 1, 1991 · W. G. Ketel, D. Bruynzeel

Contact Dermatitis

Q2 SJR score

3

Citations

0

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

Butyl aminobenzoate (_!!-butyl-.e-aminobenzoate) is a topical anaesthetic also known as Butamben® and Butiforme®. In France, has been used as surface anaesthetic (!). In the USA, it is still listed in a table of .e-aminobenzoate esters with names such as Butamben picrate and Butesin picrate (2). It may also be used in painful injections, for example with erythromycin ethyl succinate (4). The structural formula of this anaesthetic (Fig. I) is related to that of benzocaine (ethyl-£-aminobenzoate). We are not aware of publications on sensitization to butyl aminobenzoate, apart from the case described in I978 by one of us (4). In I5 years, we have now seen 10 other such patients, 6 before I980. In the last 3 years, 4 patients with perianal eczema and/ or haemorrhoids have been allergic to this anaesthetic. This is surprising, as nowadays most topical anaesthetic ointments, creams and suppositories do not contain PABA esters, but lidocaine. Sometimes, however, benzocaine and butyl aminobenzoate still occur in some prescriptions in The Netherlands. It is not always possible to detect the precise composition of the applied medicaments. Ethylated as well as butylated aminobenzoate may be prescribed together or separately (5). H,N 0 CO-OC,H,

Study Snapshot

Butyl aminobenzoate is a potential topical anaesthetic sensitizer, especially in patients with perianal eczema and/or haemorrhoids.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Paper

A‘forgotten’topical anaesthetic sensitizer: butyl aminobenzoate

References

Contact sensitivity to tannin

Tannin sensitivity is a common cause of contact urticaria in professionals, with a high prevalence in the workplace and in the home.

Preliminary patch testing with 25% and 15%‘caine’‐mixes

Kiwi fruit pulp can cause a severe erythemato-oedematous reaction on scratched skin, while other fruits show negative results on both intact and scratched skin.

Benzocaine—an unsatisfactory indicator of topical local anaesthetic sensitization for the U.K.

A non-irritant 'caine mix' containing benzocaine, cinchocaine, and amethocaine should be included in the standard patch test series for the U.K.

Allergic contact dermatitis from butyl aminobenzoate

Abietic acid is a potential allergen in eczema patients, with 3.8 % positive to colophony and 9 out of 15 positive to abietic acid.

Citations

Allergens from the European Baseline Series

The European Baseline Series of contact allergens is a minimum set for diagnostic patch testing, but supplementary tests with patient's own products, gloves, working materials, and extra allergens may be needed for better evaluation of patient's dermatitis.

Allergens from the Standard Series

Patch testing is a reliable method for distinguishing between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, but requires training and experience for accurate results.

Dermatological drugs, topical agents, and cosmetics

Contact allergy to corticosteroids is more common than previously suspected, and various drugs can cause side effects, including eczema, retinoids, and etretinate.