My child has allergies…is it safe?

You may address concerns about possible problems with pine nut allergy by assuring the parent that there have been no reported instances of anaphylactic reactions to varnish in patients with pine nut allergies. If they have an adverse reaction in the past to varnish, you may refer the patient to the dental home for a gel or foam treatment.

• Fluoride varnish adheres to teeth because of the ingredient colophony resin from pine tree sap. This ingredient is not derived from pine nuts and the manufacturers have stated that it is safe for individuals with a pine nut allergy.
• There was a documented case of a patient who developed transient stomatitis because an excessive quantity of varnish was applied. This reaction was from the colophony in fluoride varnish. This individual had no history of allergy to pine or other nuts and developed stomatitis. There have been few reports of contact dermatitis from direct skin contact to products using colophony as an ingredient in a hypersensitive person. These have primarily been products made for use on the skin such as cosmetics, nail varnish, sticking plasters, chewing gum, and some dental materials. Apply only enough varnish to coat the teeth with a thin coat.
• Colophony is found in cosmetics and some medications.
• Colophony-free fluoride varnish products are available for purchase.