Irritant (Toxic) Contact Dermatitis Following Topical Use of Dimethylsulfoxide

Figure

An acute-onset, painful skin lesion on the right index finger

A 47-year-old female patient presented due to an acute-onset, painful skin lesion on the right index finger. Clinically, pronounced edema with a wavy, shiny surface, hyperthermia, and erythema were apparent. The patient reported that she had been recommended dimethyl sulfoxide solution (DMSO) for the local treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; this she had applied undiluted (99.9%) and in an occlusive manner. We made the diagnosis of irritant (toxic) contact dermatitis. DMSO is an organic, non-alcohol-based solution in the sulfoxide group. It is used in laboratories and pharmaceutical drug manufacturing. DMSO is touted in natural medicine as well as on the internet and social media platforms as a “miracle cure” for arthritic complaints due to its supposed anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, for which there is currently no scientific evidence. Due to the lack of evidence and the potentially serious risks associated with its use, including irritant (toxic) skin reactions, as confirmed by the German Poison Information Center (North), we strongly advise against its topical application. After consulting the Poison Control Center (North), local steroid therapy was administered, which resulted in a reduction of the skin lesion.

Dr. med. Chiara L. Blomen, Dr. med. Lina Hildebrandt, Prof. Dr. med. Stefan W. Schneider, Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie,
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, [e-mail]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that no conflict of interests exists.

Translated from the original German by Christine Rye.

Cite this as: Blomen CL, Hildebrandt L, Schneider SW: Irritant (toxic) contact dermatitis following topical use of dimethylsulfoxide.
Dtsch Arztebl Int 2024; 121: 714. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0091