[sc name=”not-accepting-new-cases”] Dimethyl Fumarate Allergy From Leather Goods. Are you a victim of a debilitating dimethyl fumarate allergy? Dimethyl fumarate is an antifungal/biocidal agent that can cause dermatitis or allergies. Leather goods, including leather sofas and shoes, are often treated with dimethyl fumarate to prevent the spread of mold. Because of its association with sofas […]
[sc name=”not-accepting-new-cases”]
Dimethyl Fumarate Allergy From Leather Goods. Are you a victim of a debilitating dimethyl fumarate allergy? Dimethyl fumarate is an antifungal/biocidal agent that can cause dermatitis or allergies. Leather goods, including leather sofas and shoes, are often treated with dimethyl fumarate to prevent the spread of mold. Because of its association with sofas and other furniture, dimethyl fumarate allergies are often referred to as “sofa rash” or “sofa dermatitis.”
If you or a family member suffered a severe skin reaction from dimethyl fumarate, you may be entitled to compensation. Our dimethyl fumarate allergy lawyers are currently offering free legal consultations to anyone injured because of this chemical. To make sure your legal rights are protected, we urge you to contact our dimethyl fumarate lawyers today.
The risk of dimethyl fumarate allergies first gained public attention during the “poison chair” incident. The poison chairs were two-seater sofas manufactured by Linkwise, a Chinese manufacturer, which contained dimethyl fumarate sachets inside to inhibit mould while they were in storage or transport. In Finland, where the chairs were sold from 2006–2007, 60 people sustained serious rashes from the sofas.
In April 2010, 1,650 in the United Kingdom (UK) suffered severe injuries that were caused by the presence of dimethyl fumarate in leather sofas made by Linkwise and Eurosofa. In the UK, furniture companies that sold the affected sofas have set aside £20 million to pay sofa rash claims for compensation to those that have suffered chemical burns and rashes as a consequence of the faulty sofas.
In the European Union, the use of dimethyl fumarate has been banned since 1998. In January 2009, the European regulators also banned the import of products containing dimethyl fumarate. In the U.S., however, there is no regulation of products containing dimethyl fumarate.
Patients with dimethyl fumarate allergy or dermatitis present with a severe, red, often swollen and scaly, intensely itchy rash at body sites where there has been contact between bare skin and surfaces treated with the chemical. However, dimethyl fumarate vapors can permeate fabric, so even areas of skin that have been covered can be affected by the chemical. Continued and repeated exposure to dimethyl fumarate will result in a worsening of symptoms.
Symptoms associated with dimethyl fumarate allergy include:
A dimethyl fumarate rash often does not respond well to treatment, even with highly potent topical steroids. In some patients, the reaction is severe enough to warrant hospital admission and treatment with systemic steroids.
In 2011, dimethyl fumarate was named the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year. Dimethyl fumarate is so volatile it can vaporize within 6 weeks, which can cause it to spread out and permeate other items, including other furniture and clothing. Most concerning is that very low exposure levels to dimethyl fumarate can trigger a severe reaction.
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).