Formaldehyde is a significant allergen in women with hand eczema.

Among patients consecutively patch tested at St John's from 1984-1989, the prevalence rate of formaldehyde sensitivity was 2.2% for men and 3.7% for women. During these 6 years, 117 women were primarily sensitized by formaldehyde, of whom 61 (52%) had hand eczema. Exposure was occupational in 12% and domestic in 88%. Cleaning products were the main source of exposure in the domestic group. 20 women with hand eczema avoided formaldehyde and their hands healed in 2, greatly improved in 11 and were better in 7.