Citral a fragrance allergen and irritant.
Citral is a well known contact allergen and a contact irritant. Routine patch testing in the past may have been restricted because of possible irritant (IR) patch test responses. 586 consecutive patients, with hand eczema, were patch tested with a selection of fragrances including citral 2% petrolatum and the European standard series. 28 of the patients showed a positive patch test reaction (+ to +++) to citral and 82 at least 1 IR patch test reaction and no positive patch test reaction to citral. A statistically significant association between a positive patch test reaction to citral and positive patch test reactions to other fragrances compared with IR reactions (n = 82) was established. The difference regarding fragrance history found between those with IR and positive reactions to citral was not significant. Citral could be an allergen and/or irritant, worthy of further more extensive studies.
Heydorn
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark. sihe@gentoftehosp.kbhant.dk
Menné
T
T
Andersen
K E
KE
Bruze
M
M
Svedman
C
C
White
I R
IR
Basketter
D A
DA
D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010476:Perfume; C007076:citral