Frequency of sensitization to 13 common preservatives in Switzerland. Swiss Contact Dermatitis Research Group.
From February 1989 to January 1990, the Swiss Contact Dermatitis Research Group conducted a 1-year study to examine the frequency of sensitization to a series of 13 common preservatives. A group of 2295 consecutive outpatients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (age range 7-90 years, with a mean age of 42; 911 males, 1384 females) was tested. The %s of positive reactions to the preservatives studied are as follows, in descending order: formaldehyde 5.7%, benzalkonium chloride 5.5%, Kathon CG 5.5%, thimerosal 4.2%, chlorhexidine digluconate 2.0%, DMDM hydantoin 1.7%, paraben mix 1.7%, chloroacetamide 1.5%, Bronopol 1.2%, imidazolidinyl urea 1.0%, quaternium 15 1.0%, triclosan 0.8%, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol 0.4%. These relatively high values suggest a heavy exposure of the Swiss population to topical preservatives. Compared to previous studies, the sensitization rate to Kathon CG has stabilized in Switzerland over the last 2 years. Sensitization to formaldehyde portrayed impressive geographical variation, with sensitization rates up to 9% in western and only 3% in eastern Switzerland. The low sensitization rate to parabens argues for their inclusion in a medicament or preservative series, rather than in the standard series.
Perrenoud
D
D
Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Bircher
A
A
Hunziker
T
T
Suter
H
H
Bruckner-Tuderman
L
L
Stäger
J
J
Thürlimann
W
W
Schmid
P
P
Suard
A
A
Hunziker
N
N
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical