Dermatology Date of publication: October 2009 Date for review: October 2010 © Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

Allergy to Colophony (rosin) What am I allergic to? You have been found to be allergic to Colophony (rosin). What is Colophony (rosin)? Colophony or rosin is a natural substance obtained from conifers. The substance itself is derived from pine balsam during the making of turpentine. When the turpentine is distilled away, colophony (rosin) is the hard yellow residue left behind. Its composition varies, since it is a natural product. What must I avoid? Avoiding colophony may be difficult because of its widespread use. Most patients allergic to colophony have been sensitised through use of sticking plasters as it is present in fabric sticking plaster adhesives (eg elastoplast). You should try to avoid contact with any product which contains colophony; always check the ingredient label of products, and check the safety data sheets at work. Colophony may also be known as the following in an industrial setting:

Abietic acid / abietic alcohol / abietyl alcohol / abitol / methyl abietate alcohol Dercolyte ZS / dermatol 18 / dertophene 18 / foral 105 / granolite SG / staybelite 10 Gum rosin / resina terebinthinate / tall oil / W-W wood rosin / hercolyn D

You may also be allergic to turpentine, wood (spruce, pine balsam), wood tar, fragrance and Balsam of Peru. Where can Colophony be found? Common sources of colophony include:

Real Christmas trees (the sticky sap) Leylandii trees and pine forests Fabric plasters, zinc oxide plaster on a roll Wart treatment gels Soldering flux Wood polishes Rosin for stringed musical instruments ‘Gripper’ for bowls, weight lifting and sports Paper (glossy paper is worse), magazines Printing inks Adhesive tapes and fly papers Medicated creams and ointments

Glue tackifiers (stamps/labels) Varnishes and glazes Surface coatings, sealing components Dental cements and impression pastes Fan belts and clutches Cosmetics (mascara, rouge, soap, eye

shadow, shampoo, lipstick, nail varnish) Pine sawdust Pine oil cleaners Linoleum Chewing gum Brewery pitch

This list is not exhaustive.