Octocrylene, an emerging photoallergen.
BACKGROUND
Octocrylene is a new emerging photoallergen. We report and discuss 50 cases of photoallergic contact dermatitis from octocrylene use and/or positive photopatch test reactions to this UV filter and draw attention to the unexpected association in adults with a history of photoallergic contact dermatitis from ketoprofen.


METHODS
Patients were divided in 3 groups: group A comprised 11 children; group B, 28 adults with a history of photoallergy from sunscreen products; and group C, 14 adults systematically tested with octocrylene because of a history of photoallergy from ketoprofen. All patients but 3 in group C had positive test reactions to octocrylene. Ten of 11 children in group A and 9 of 28 adults in group B had positive patch test reactions to octocrylene. One child in group A, the other 19 adults in group B, and 11 of 14 adults in group C had positive photopatch test reactions to octocrylene. All adults in group C and 24 of 28 adults in group B had a history of photoallergy from ketoprofen and positive patch test or photopatch test reactions to other allergens that are often positive in patients with photoallergy from ketoprofen, especially fragrance components.


CONCLUSIONS
Octocrylene appears to be a strong allergen leading to contact dermatitis in children and mostly photoallergic contact dermatitis in adults with an often-associated history of photoallergy from ketoprofen. Patients with photoallergy from ketoprofen frequently have positive photopatch test reactions to octocrylene. These patients need to be informed of sunscreen products not containing octocrylene, benzophenone-3, or fragrances.
Avenel-Audran
Martine
M
Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers CEDEX 9, France. MaAvenel-Audran@chu-angers.fr
Dutartre
Hervé
H
Goossens
An
A
Jeanmougin
Michel
M
Comte
Christelle
C
Bernier
Claire
C
Benkalfate
Lamia
L
Michel
Maryse
M
Ferrier-Lebouëdec
Marie Christine
MC
Vigan
Martine
M
Bourrain
Jean Luc
JL
Outtas
Omar
O
Peyron
Jean Louis
JL
Martin
Ludovic
L
D000179:Acrylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017454:Dermatitis, Photoallergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000179:Acrylates; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; C088673:octocrylene