Re-emergence of toilet seat dermatitis

Dr Bernard Cohen, director of pediatric dermatology at John Hopkins Children's Center explained, "Toilet seat dermatitis is one of those legendary conditions described in medical textbooks and seen in underdeveloped countries, but one that younger pediatricians have not come across in their daily practice.

"If our small analysis is any indication of what's happening, we need to make sure the condition is on every pediatrician's radar.”

Resurgence of toilet seat dermatitis
The condition used to be prevalent decades ago when toilet seats were made of wood and treated with harsh chemicals. However, with the switch over to plastic toilet seats and sanitary covers the condition had practically disappeared.

The problem of skin eruptions has resurfaced with people opting for exotic toilet seats made of wood, paint and varnishes besides cleaning them with harsh detergents.

Cohen states, “The incidence of this condition is rising in North America because of a resurgent popularity of exotic-wood toilet seats and frequent use of detergents that contain highly irritant/sensitizing compounds such as quaternary ammonium compounds, phenol, formaldehyde, etc. in public restrooms."

Analyzing five new cases from the U.S. and India for the skin ailment, the researchers found that some of the kids had suffered with the condition for years before getting an accurate diagnosis.

"People don't recognize the pattern and don't think of it," Cohen says. "These kids will go on for months, sometimes years before the correct diagnosis, and a simple treatment will make it go away."

Suggestions to prevent toilet seat dermatitis
Researchers are armed with a number of suggestions to combat the skin ailment. They recommend the use of paper on toilet seat covers in public restrooms, hospital and school bathrooms.

In addition, they advise switching to plastic seats instead of wooden ones. They further suggest to steer clear of harsh cleaners and instead clean the bathrooms by rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide which are effective cleaners and gentle on the skin.

About contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis, a skin irritation on the buttocks and upper thighs is characterized by redness of skin and blisters which can worsen with repeated exposure to the allergen.

The condition can sometimes become painful leading to bacterial infection that may not be so easily treated.

Generally, application of topical steroid ointment can calm the rash and ease the discomfort but without treating the root cause toilet seat rash will keep coming back.

The study has been published in the journal Pediatrics.