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Neil F. Haddock; Jonathan K. Wilkin, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1982;118(3):157-159.

Abstract
• Cutaneous reactions to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), N-propyl alcohol (1-propanol), isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol), and acetaldehyde were evaluated in a control group and in patients before and while they were receiving disulfiram therapy. Local cutaneous erythema was observed from patch tests with ethyl alcohol, N-propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol in hydrated skin, and from acetaldehyde in dry skin. Since reactions noted from topically applied alcohols before and while the patients were receiving disulfiram therapy were not statistically different, a localized disulfiram-alcohol reaction is unlikely. Erythema resulting from topically applied alcohols occurred in a dose-related manner and was caused by a direct vasodilatory effect on the cutaneous microvasculature. We believe that all true disulfiram-alcohol reactions are systemic, rather than local, in nature and require a substantial amount of alcohol to enter the system.

(Arch Dermatol 1982;118:157-159)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication May 18, 1981.

Read in part before the National Student Research Forum, Galveston, Tex, April 24, 1980; and the Society for Investigative Dermatology, San Antonio, Tex, Nov 16, 1980.

Reprint requests to Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, 1202 Medical School Main Bldg, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030 (Dr Wilkin).

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