ALLERGEN FOCUS A REVIEW OF COLOPHONIUM Rosin, also known as colophony, is the term collectively used for the solidified, distilled form of resins from pines, cedars, spruce, firs and junipers. ASHLEY A. HAMSTRA, MD, AND SHARON E. JACOB, MD Epicutaneous patch testing provides a theranostic, or individual, assess- ment of each patient. Although ACD is not “curable,” many individuals will achieve complete remission with as- siduous avoidance. In this section focus, we highlight ACD and explore top rel- evant allergens, regional-based dermati- tis presentations, topic-based dermatitis presentations and clinical tips and pearls for diagnosis and treatment. This article focuses on colophonium. HISTORY OF THE TREE’S SCAB Colophony surrounds us. It is in the makeup we apply to our faces, the ten- nis rackets we clutch and the cleaning products we use to scrub our homes. Colophony’s ubiquity likely contrib- utes to its prevalence as one of the most common allergens in ACD. Plant resins are uniquely different in composition from sap and other plant- based secretions. While saps have an in- trinsic nourishing function (containing water, glucose, minerals and hormones), resins support the plant through im- portant protective functions.6 Primar- llergic contact dermatitis unable to comply with the avoidance ily, they ward off pathogens, insects and (ACD) is an important disease regimen are at risk for recurrent or other animals by sealing puncture sites that notably affects 14.5 mil- sustained dermatitis or progression to on the tree. This blocks entry for invasive A 1 2,3 lion Americans each year. The eco- a systematized presentation. organisms. The puncture wound could nomic impact of this disease is high The 2 main types of contact dermati- be secondary to an assailing animal or in terms of both patient morbidity tis are irritant and allergic, with irritant a blunt trauma from a neighboring tree. and loss of income, school and work contact dermatitis (ICD) being the most Sticky resins can also flush out or trap and significant expenditures for visits common. ICD may occur in anyone unwelcome organisms. The volatile tur- to healthcare providers and for medi- who is exposed to an irritating substance pentine oils of the secreted resin quickly caments. A correct diagnosis of ACD with significant duration or in significant evaporate. The remaining resin forms a will improve, prevent or “cure” the concentrations such as chronic or fre- scab. Additionally, resins have antiseptic dermatitis and decrease overall costs quent water exposure, abrasive cleansers, and water retaining properties.7,8 to the healthcare system.1 Once patch detergents and soaps. It is important to Rosin (also known as colophony) testing is performed and a culprit has note that ICD can at times precede or is the term collectively used for the been identified, education becomes be a concomitant diagnosis with ACD4,5 solidified, distilled form of resins from the critical intervention to ensure ACD is a delayed-type IV hypersensi- pines, cedars, spruce, firs and junipers. adherence to an avoidance regimen. tivity reaction that can occur to a large The proper name, colophonium, is With allergen avoidance, remission of number of chemicals from poison ivy to noted by the International Nomen- the dermatitis ensues. Patients who are fragrances in shampoos. clature of Cosmetic Ingredients.9,10 ® 38 August 2015 | THE DERMATOLOGIST | www.the-dermatologist.com ALLERGEN FOCUS Both names are derived from colophon. Table 1. ALTERNATE NAMES OF COLOPHONY12,14 Colophon, which means summit, was an ancient city of Ionia, modern day Abietic acid Hercolyn D Turkey. Colophon was situated along a ridgeline with surrounding pine Abietic alcohol Methyl abietate alcohol trees. The term Colophonia resina has been traced back to these pines.7 Col- ophony is also known by several other Abietyl alcohol Pentalyn names listed in Table 1. There are 3 methods of procur- Abitol Resin terebinthinae ing rosin, which result in different forms of rosin; all forms can cause Colophonium Rosin ACD. Gum rosin is the most com- mon form, which is obtained from Dercolyte ZS Rosin gum live trees in the form of tapped fresh resin oils. These are then distilled to Dermtomal 18 Rosin solder flux flume yield turpentine oil and gum rosin. Alternatively, dead pine stumps can Disproportionated rosin Staybelite 10 be distilled to produce wood rosin. However, this labor-intensive meth- Foral 105 Tall oil od, with low yield, is the least com- mon form of procurement. Lastly, Gum rosin Wood rosin tall oil rosin is a processed, liquefied byproduct of tree pulp. This pulp is Granolite SG more cellulose and used to make pa- per. Tall is Swedish for pine.11-13 The term “resin” that is also applied cover it inside and out with pitch.” has lapsed and synthetic resins in bow in modern day to denote synthetic res- Pitch is a colloquialism for non- making are now common.19 ins, like epoxy, which share the physi- wood resources derived from coni- Stringed instruments are not the only cal property of being a thick liquid that fers.15,16 Leonardo da Vinci is docu- area where rosin is frequently added to hardens into a lacquer or enamel. How- mented to have used colophony in a augment friction. In sports, colopho- ever, that is the limit of the similarity, remedy for ailments. “A remedy for nium is used to improve the traction as these compounds have no relation to scratches taught me by the Herald to of ballet shoe tips and racket handles.8 plant-derived resins. the King of France. Four ounces of When allergy to wood products is in virgin wax, 4 ounces of colophony, 2 question, both the wood pulp and the HISTORICAL NOTATIONS ON COLOPHONY ounces of incense. Keep each thing varnish should be suspect. Historically, mankind has long uti- separate; and melt the wax, and then lized resins for their sealant properties. put in the incense and then the col- COLOPHONY’S COMPOSITION In fact, rosin varnished and lacquered ophony, make a mixture of it and put Rosin is largely comprised of resin objects have been found in ancient cul- it on the sore place.”17 acids, namely abietic acid, dehydroabi- tures including Egypt, China and Japan. Also, after decades of debate re- etic acid, neoabietic acid, dihydroabi- Prior even to its success as a varnish, garding the composition of the wood etic acid, palustric acid, levopimaric it has been traced back to the Egyp- and the famous luthier Stradivarius’ acid and pimaric acid.11,20 The specific tian embalming methods of the Old methods, a 2009 study laid the query balance of this mixture is dependent on Kingdom era (3050-2181 BC). Notably, to rest by determining that the vio- the species of the tree, climate, method through scientific analysis of ancient ar- lins indeed contained a pine resin in of extraction and how it is stored.21,22 tifacts, it was discovered that they would the varnish.18 At the time, Stradivar- The most common sensitizing resin soak strips of linen in rosin prior to ius’ painting resin onto the wood of acid is abietic acid.21,23 molding them around the corpse.14 The the violin’s body was novel and in- Colophony’s widespread applications researchers also noted that the Egyptians novative — setting them above the exploit its properties of adhesion and would often use powdered limestone in rest and forever changing the sound hard enamel or lacquer finishes. These the mummification wrapping technique of music. Today, it is common to ap- finishes require colophony to be first as a composite cement to improve adhe- ply rosin to the bows of stringed in- converted into solvents. It easily dis- sive properites.14 struments. The reason resin is applied solves in alcohol or petrolatum, not wa- Interestingly in Genesis 6:14, Noah to the strings is to produce friction ter. These solvents can then be applied as was instructed to “Make for your- and augment vibration, and thus a sealant paint layer. The non-resin com- self an ark of gopher wood; you shall sound quality. In 1982, epoxy resins pounds, typically turpentine oils, will make the ark with rooms, and shall for bows were patented. This patent soon evaporate, leaving the varnish.8 ® August 2015 | THE DERMATOLOGIST | www.the-dermatologist.com 39 ALLERGEN FOCUS Table 2. COMMON PRODUCTS Table 3. SUBSTANCES WITH CROSS-REACTING COMPONENTS TO COLOPHONIUM11,12 CONTAINING COLOPHONY 14,16 Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae) Oil of turpentine Asphalt products Essential oils Rosin esters Axle greases Evergreen trees other than pines Spices (cloves, mace, nutmeg, paprika) Bows of string instruments Car waxes, furniture waxes and stains Fragrances Wood tars Cements and putties 11 Ceramic inks, marking pens, felt-tip pens, prink ink MODERN UTILIZATION and edema are reported. Furthermore, The spectrum of colophonium ap- an Italian woman developed generalized Chewing gum plications is immense (Table 2). Its urticaria after applying an unnamed col- pervasiveness likely contributes to its ophony containing homeopathic oint- Cold sore creams ranking as 1 of the top 10 allergens ment to her wrist for tendonitis.21 Corrosion inhibitors in many countries and make it an im- In western medicine, colophony portant source of occupational contact is commonly found in sutures, tape, Cosmetics (lipsticks, mascaras, rouges) dermatitis.15,24,25 In the varnish industry, dentistry products, namely sealants Dental flosses colophony is widely used. For example, and topical medications.21 Cosmet- a “light colored oak tree” toilet seat ics, including mascara, blush and lip- Epilating waxes that was actually ash wood varnished stick potentially contain colophony. Floor polish with colophony to appear oaken was Much like ink, the colophony helps recently reported to trigger a localized the makeup hold together and not Fly strips buttock eruption that then generalized.