title: Contact and photocontact allergy to oxybenzone.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of contact allergy and photocontact allergy to sunscreens. A consecutive series of 54 patients with suspected clinical photosensitivity were assessed. All had the same standardized photobiological investigation from January 1989 to December 1990, including patch tests and photopatch tests with 6 sunscreen agents. Oxybenzone was found to cause 4 cases of allergic contact dermatitis (with photoaggravation in 2), and 3 cases of photocontact dermatitis (13% of patients). This is probably due to the wide distribution of oxybenzone in sunscreens and other cosmetics, 2 patients with polymorphic light eruption and persistent light reactivity, respectively, were regular sunscreen users. Photobiological investigation is necessary to ensure accurate diagnosis, since sunscreen contact or photocontact allergy may simulate other photosensitivity eruptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Tours, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lenique
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Machet
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaillant
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bensaïd
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khallouf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lorette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D003358:Cosmetics; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; C005290:oxybenzone