title: The dramatic increase in the rate of methylisothiazolinone contact allergy in Belgium: a multicentre study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rate of contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylisothiazolinone (MI) is dramatically increasing throughout Europe.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report on methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/MI and MI allergy in Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2010 and December 2012, the medical charts of 6599 patients of the Belgian Contact and Environmental Dermatitis Group were retrospectively reviewed for MCI/MI and MI sensitization by use of a standardized questionnaire. Available data on sensitization in 2081 patients tested in 2013 were also included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, the sensitization rate for MCI/MI had increased to 4.5% and that for MI to 6.0%; the latter showed a further increase to 7.2% in 2013. The people mainly affected were women with a median age of 49 years with hand and/or facial dermatitis, most often resulting from the use of cosmetics. Simultaneous reactions to octylisothiazolinone were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A dramatic increase in the rate of contact allergy caused by MI in cosmetics is occurring in Belgium. Notwithstanding the recent recommendation to discontinue the use of MI in leave-on cosmetics, safer use concentrations should also be determined for rinse-off products. Close monitoring of MI sensitization in the near future will be necessary, and the highest test concentrations reported for MI and MCI/MI should be included in the baseline series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Antwerp, B-2650, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeck
authors.forename: Lieve
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Constandt
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dezfoulian
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerre
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lapeere
authors.forename: Lauranne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pierret
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013844:Thiazoles; C512915:isothiazolidinone; C011506:2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; C015699:1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one
keywords: airborne; allergic contact dermatitis; cosmetics; deodorants; epidemic; generalized reactions; methylisothiazolinone; occupational; paints; wipes