Contact Allergy from Cosmetics Among Patients with Eczema on Face and Trunk: A 5-years Retrospective Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Adverse reaction to cosmetic products is underestimated as some patients seek no treatments. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) to cosmetic products, in which diagnoses can be done by patch testing, are common. Objective: to identify the type of cosmetic products and common causative allergens. Method: A retrospective study of medical records of the patients during 2015–2019 at The Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand was conducted. Result: The total number of 425 medical records were analyzed, 39 of which were male, and 386 were female, with a ratio of M:F of 1:9.89. All patients had lesions on the face and trunk. They were all investigated by patch testing with a standard and cosmetic set of allergens and their cosmetic products. Diagnoses of allergic contact dermatitis was found in 398 cases; irritant contact dermatitis in 26 cases and others in 14 cases. One patient may have more than one diagnosis. The most common types of cosmetic products which induce ACD include cleansers, whitening, other products (not classified or patients’ own products), moisturizers, and deodorants. The most common cause of allergen is Kathon CG in the standard set and gallate mix in the cosmetic set. Conclusion: Adverse reaction to cosmetic products is common. Patients’ history and investigation help in diagnosis, management, and prevention of recurrence.