title: Isoeugenol is an important contact allergen: can it be safely replaced with isoeugenyl acetate?
abstract: The prevalence of contact allergy to the fragrance mix in individuals with eczema is up to 10%. Within the mix, isoeugenol (CAS 97-54-1) is an important individual allergen. Until May 1998, the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) guidelines suggested that isoeugenol could safely be used at a level of 0.2% in consumer products. In May 1998, IFRA recommended that isoeugenol should not be used at a level that exceeds 0.02% in consumer products, but did not provide guidance on allergen substitution. An alternative to isoeugenol, based on aroma and absence of guidelines on use, is isoeugenyl acetate (CAS 93-29-8). 155 consecutive subjects were patch tested to isoeugenyl acetate (1.2%, 0.4%, 0.13% eth.) and isoeugenol 1% pet. 6 (3.9%) had an allergic reaction to 1.2% isoeugenyl acetate at D4. The reactions to the other 2 dilutions tended to be graded. 8 individuals had at least a palpable erythema by D4 to isoeugenol 1% pet. The majority of individuals allergic to isoeugenol were also intolerant of isoeugenyl acetate. Effective labelling of fragrance substances on consumer products will facilitate monitoring of exposure.
authors.affiliation: St. John's Institute of Dermatology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, England, UK.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Arnau
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lepoittevin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruze
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005054:Eugenol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D010328:Patch Tests; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010476:Perfume; D005054:Eugenol; C036643:isoeugenol; C400781:2-methoxy-4-prop-1-enylphenyl acetate