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CASE REPORT
Rare case of type I hypersensitivity reaction to sodium hypochlorite solution in a healthcare setting
  1. Gabriel Chia Shi Zhe1,
  2. Andrew Green2,
  3. Yuke Tien Fong3,
  4. Haur Yueh Lee1,
  5. Sweet Far Ho4
  1. 1Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
  2. 2National University Health System, Singapore
  3. 3Department of Occupational Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
  4. 4Government of Singapore Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
  1. Correspondence to Gabriel Chia Shi Zhe, gabriel.chia{at}mohh.com.sg

Summary

Sodium hypochlorite is a clear yellowish solution with a characteristic odour of chlorine and is commonly used as a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. It is used in various healthcare settings for its fast-acting and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It is a known irritant and there are some reports that it can also cause allergic contact dermatitis of type IV hypersensitivity. We report a case of work-related type I hypersensitivity to sodium hypochlorite, presenting with recurrent urticarial rash and a positive prick test reaction to this chemical. He was subsequently excused from further exposure with no further recurrences of the urticarial rash. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such reported case due to work in the healthcare setting.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2016-217228

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors GCSZ was the primary author of this research article. He was overall responsible for the conception, design and analysis of data in this research article. He was also overall in charge of the initial drafting of this article and revising it critically for important intellectual content. AG assisted in the conception and design of this research article. He also assisted in the drafting and revision of the research article. YTF is an occupational physician by training. She is involved in the conception and design of this research article. She also assisted in the drafting and the final revision of this research article. HYL is a dermatologist by training. He provided assistance in the conception and design of this research article. He also provided critical input on the analysis and interpretation of data in this article as well as aiding in the drafting and revision of the research article. SFH is an occupational physician by training. She provided the overall guidance on the conception, design and analysis of data in this research article. She also provided much assistance and direction on the drafting and revision of the research article. The final version published is approved by all five authors. There is an agreement among all five authors to be accountable for the article and to ensure that all questions regarding the accuracy or integrity of the article are investigated and resolved.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.