[Allergic contact dermatitis to cocamidopropyl betaine among Israeli patients with cosmetic allergy].
BACKGROUND
Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric surfactant commonly used in rinse-off cosmetic products. There is still a debate concerning the actual allergen in CAPB.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of CAPB allergy and its characteristics among Israeli patients.


METHODS
A hundred consecutive patients with suspected cosmetic allergy were patch tested. They underwent standard and cosmetic series patch tests.


RESULTS
Six patients, all females, were allergic to CAPB. Relevance rate was 66%. No significant characteristics were found among allergic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of CAPB allergy is similar to the prevalence worldwide. CAPB became one of the leading causes of cosmetic allergy.
Raz
Ofer
O
Department of Dermatology, Hadassah University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem.
Slodownik
Danny
D
Ingber
Arieh
A
D000328:Adult; D001622:Betaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003358:Cosmetics; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D001622:Betaine; C077055:cocamidopropyl betaine