Contact Hypersensitivity to Allergens Contained in Cosmetic Products - ReactionsAssessed by European Standard Allergen Set

Overview

In 2002, 945 patients (241 men and 704 women) were tested with the basic allergen set in threedermatology clinics providing diagnostic contact allergy service for Prague referal area. The authorsevaluated only substances with possible relationship to contact allergy to cosmetic products. Fromthe total of 945 patients, 173 (18.3%) - 42 men (17.4% of the total number of tested men) and 131 women(18.6% of the total number of tested women) - reacted to at least one selected substance. The mostcommon hypersensitivities represented mixture of fragrances (74 positivities - i.e. 7.8% of tested),peru balsam (52 positivities - i.e. 5.5% of tested), lanolin (36 positivities - i.e. 3.8% of tested),formaldehyde (22 positivities - i.e. 2.3% of tested), colophony (18 positivities - i.e. 1.9% of tested),5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiasoline-3-one + 2-methyl4-isothiasoline-3-one (MCI/MI) (9 positivities - i.e.0.95% of tested), quaternium 15 (8 positivities - i.e. 0.85% of tested) and parabens (7 positivities - i.e.0.74% of tested). These findings demonstrate, that the most common origin of sensibilisation incosmetic products are fragrances and conservants. Relatively frequent positive reaction to lanolincan be explained by sensibilisation secondary to application of topical remedies - ointments andcreams - containing lanolin. The sensibilisation to cosmetics correlates closely with an exposition rate. Cosmetics producersuse time proven formulas, but there are also newly appearing substances, which, with large extentof use, can become significant for contact allergy development. As safe, according the literature dataconcerning the cosmetic conservants reactions monitoring, are considered only those substances towhich hypersensitivity does not exceed 1%; contact allergy in 2% of tested is considered alarmingand values over 3%, as a rule, mean serious problem.

Key words:
contact allergy - cosmetics - european standard allergen set