title: 7 years experience of photopatch testing with sunscreen allergens in Sweden.
abstract: Since 1990 7 sunscreen allergens have been included in the standard photopatch protocol at 2 Swedish dermatology clinics. 355 consecutive patients with suspected photosensitivity were tested, and in 28 of these (7.9%), a total of 42 allergic reactions were found. 80% of the reactions were of photocontact origin. The most common allergen was benzophenone-3 (Eusolex 4360), with 15 photocontact and 1 contact allergic reactions, followed by isopropyl dibenzoylmethane (Eusolex 8020) (8 photocontact, 4 contact) and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol 1789), with 6 photocontact reactions. There were 2 cases of photocontact allergy to phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (Eusolex 232), which has not been reported previously. 1 case of contact urticaria from benzophenone-3 was accidentally found. In addition, 21 + reactions of doubtful relevance were noted in 14 patients: 16 on irradiated and 5 on non-irradiated test sites. Among these, irritant and phototoxic reactions may be included. These results indicate that the inclusion of UV filters in the standard photopatch protocol is important. Immediate-type testing for urticaria could also be of value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berne
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D017454:Dermatitis, Photoallergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010328:Patch Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013548:Sweden; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D013473:Sunscreening Agents