Considered a dermatological nuisance that was long gone, skin irritations caused by toilet seats appear to be making a comeback in paediatricians' offices, according to research led by Johns Hopkins Children's Centre investigator Bernard Cohen, M.D.
'Toilet seat dermatitis is one of those legendary conditions described in medical textbooks and seen in underdeveloped countries, but one that younger paediatricians have not come across in their daily practice,' says Cohen, director of paediatric dermatology at Hopkins Children's. 'If our small analysis is any indication of what's happening, we need to make sure the condition is on every paediatrician's radar.'
Analysing five cases from the United States and India in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics, Cohen and colleagues said the culprits responsible for the reemergence of the condition are harsh cleaning chemicals and exotic wooden toilet seats - making a comeback as bathroom decor - especially seats covered with varnishes and paints.
'Toilet seat dermatitis is one of those legendary conditions described in medical textbooks and seen in underdeveloped countries, but one that younger paediatricians have not come across in their daily practice,' says Cohen, director of paediatric dermatology at Hopkins Children's. 'If our small analysis is any indication of what's happening, we need to make sure the condition is on every paediatrician's radar.'
Analysing five cases from the United States and India in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics, Cohen and colleagues said the culprits responsible for the reemergence of the condition are harsh cleaning chemicals and exotic wooden toilet seats - making a comeback as bathroom decor - especially seats covered with varnishes and paints.
