title: Allergic contact dermatitis to copolymers in cosmetics--case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Copolymers or heteropolymers are large molecules with high molecular weights (>1000 D). They have been underestimated for a long time as to their sensitizing capacities. Allergic contact dermatitis to 6 copolymers in cosmetics and 1 in a medical dressing has been described; however, the nature of the hapten is still unknown. We report a case of allergic contact dermatitis to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/hexadecene copolymer in a purple-colored lipstick and review the literature on allergic contact dermatitis to 7 copolymers: PVP/hexadecene, PVP/eicosene, PVP/1-triacontene, methoxy polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-22/dodecyl glycols, methoxy PEG-17/dodecyl glycols, phthalic anhydride/trimellitic anhydride/glycols, and polyvinyl methyl/maleic acid anhydride.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Catholic University Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quartier
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garmyn
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becart
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011205:Povidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides; D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; D011108:Polymers; D011145:Polyvinyls; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C401288:methoxy polyethylene glycol amine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C015559:trimellitic anhydride; D011205:Povidone; C043103:phthalic anhydride