Professional Documents
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COSMETIC DERMATITIS
DEFINATION OF COSMETIC: cosmetics have been defined as any preparation applied to the skin , mouth, hair and nails for the
purpose of CLEANSING , ENHANCING APPEARANCE, GIVING PLEASANT SMELL OR PROVIDING PROTECTION. They include-------
perfumes, deodorants, aftershaves, hairsprays, lipstick, nail varnishes and extensions, moisturizers, emolients, cleansers, mascara,
eye shadow, make- up , sunscreen, hair colours and styling gel, soaps, shower gels, bath oils, and toothpaste. THE MOST
FREQUENTLY DETECTED ALLERGENS ARE ------ PRESERVATIVES, PERFUMES, DYES, UV filters, VEHICLES AND EXCIPIENTS, PLANT
EXTRACTS.
PATTERN OF DERMATITIS--------
(A) HAIR DYES: These account for the largest number of cases of contact dermatitis due to cosmetics. MOST CASES ARE
CAUSED BY PARAPHENYLENEDIAMINE AND PARA- ORTHOTOLUIDINEDIAMINE ( aniline derivatives) . These
chemicals are colorless until oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ammonia . once oxidized, PPD is said to be
no longer allergenic.
The dermatitis varies in severity. The scalp is often relatively spared. In the mildest cases, dermatitis is limited
to the scalp margin and upper eyelids only. In severe cases, it may spread to the entire face, external ears and neck and in the
severest cases, it may extend to all parts of the body. There is usually severe OEDEMA AND WEEPING DERMATITIS. The dermatitis
TENDS TO WORSEN FOR A FEW WEEKS EVEN WHEN THE DYE IS NOT APPLIED AGAIN, because of the persistence of the dye in the
hair. For the treatment of these cases therefore it is essential to USE SYSTEMIC CORTICISTEROIDS FOR A MONTH OR SO AND TO
(B) LIPSTICKS: These produce dermatitis generally because of the DYES USED ---- ANTHRAQUINONE DYES BEING THE
ONES USUALLY RESPONSIBLE. OILS, WAXES, PERFUMES OR PRESERVATIVES are other causes of contact dermatitis.
The dermatitis usually manifests as CHEILITIS WITH FISSURING AND SCALING INVOLVING THE LIPS.
PIGMENTATION of the lips is quite common because lipsticks cause PHOTOCONTACT DERMATITIS MORE FREQUENTLY
THAN CONTACT DERMATITIS. THIS IS DUE TO EOSIN TYPE OF DYE IN THE LIPSTICK.
(C) NAIL POLISH: The nail polishes made of FORMALDEHYDE RESINS ( TOSYLAMIDE FORMALDEHYDE RESIN) CAN CAUSE
CONTACT DERMATITIS . Allergy to other agents e.g. dibutyl phthalate, methyl acrylate and nitrocellulose have also been
described. MORE OFTEN THE DERMATITIS INVOLVES CIRCUMSCRIBED AREAS ON ALMOST ANY PART OF THE BODY WHERE
THE NAIL POLISH COMES IN CONTACT. THE FACE AND NECK ARE INVOLVED IN 80% CASES, EYES IN 50% AND PERIUNGUAL
DERMATITIS IN 60%.
ONYCHOLYSIS can occur but this is more likely with allergy from ACRYLATES IN ADHESIVES FOR FALSE NAILS AND
FROM SCULPTURED NAILS. These may also cause dystrophy and paronychia.
(D) SURMA, KAJAL: cosmetics such as surma and kajal can cause dermatitis on the eyelid margins due to oil in the kajal or
the irritant particles in surma. Eteshadows, mascara or eyebrow pencils are only occasionally responsible for contact
(E) FACE CREAMS: THE CAUSE OF DERMATITIS IS EITHER EMMOLIENTS, FRAGRANCES OR THE PRESERVATIVES ADDED
TO COSMETICS .
(F) TOOTHPASTES: These cause contact dermatitis ON THE CHIN BELOW THE ANGLES OF THE MOUTH. The gums, lips and
mucous membrane of the mouth are generally not involved. In these cases, TOOTHPASTES WITH FOAMING AGENTS GIVE
• Mascara and nail varnish are often irritant and should be applied to a chamber and allowed to evaporate before applying
them as a patch.
• False negative reactions and marginal irritant reactions are common when testing with cosmetics.
• EACH INGREDIENT MUST BE TESTED AT AN APPROPRIATE CONCENTRATION IN AN APPROPRIATE VEHICLE. THE TEST
SUBSTANCE SHOULD ALSO BE OF SIMILAR SOURCE/ BATCH AND OF PURITY LIKE THE PARENT COSMETIC.
THE COMPONENTS OF FRAGRANCE ARE EITHER OF NATURAL ORIGIN OR PRODUCED SYNTHETICALLY. NATURAL
SOURCES INCLUDE—EXTRACTS FROM PLANTS, TREES, LICHENS AND ANIMALS ( e.g. MUSK, CIVET). Commercially available
perfumes are mixtures of essential oils from these sources and synthetic compounds with usually 10 and upto several hundred
ingredients. The scent is determined by the amount of volatile substance. FIXATIVES are added to delay evaporation. Common
Tree balsams contain different fragrance and flavouring components. BALSAM OF PERU is one such material that has
been studied in depth. It comes from central american tree MYROXYLON PEREIRE. The composition is not definitely known but the
balsam contains------- BENZYL BENZOATE , BENZYL CINNAMATE, CINNAMIC ACID ALCOHOL AND ALDEHYDE, BENZOIC ACID,
VANILLIN, FARNESOL AND NERODINOL. They may cross sensitize with resorchinol monobenzoate used in cellulose ester plastics.
Other balsams are : BALSAM OF TOLU, BALSAM OF SPRUCE, GUM BENZOIN AND STORAX.
Flavouring agents may similarly be of natural and synthetic origin. Examples of natural flavours include CITRUS
FRUIT PEEL, PEPPERMINT OIL, SPEARMINT AND VANILLA. NATURAL spices include nutmeg, mustard, cinnamon, cloves and oil of
FRAGRANCES ARE UBIQITOUS. Perfumes, cosmetics, moisturizers, deodorants, aftershaves, soaps, bath additives,
aromatherapy oils and toilet tissues and wipes are typical sources. Medicaments, cleansers, fabric conditioners and
polishes may all be perfumed. Flavours and spices are found in FOODS, BEVERAGES, AND DENTAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING
CLINICAL FEATURE:
THERE IS TENDENCY TO INVOLVE THE HANDS, FACE , FACE AND AXILLA in women and HANDS, FACE, LOWER LEGS and AXILLA
in men. A STREAKY PATTERN HAS BEEN OBSERVED. D- Limonene is used as industrial and histological solvent and degreasing
agent. IT IS AN ALLERGEN WHEN OXIDISED IN PRESENCE OF AIR-------- CAN CAUSE OCCUPATIONAL HAND DERMATITIS. HAND
DERMATITIS can also occur in bakers and chefs from flavouring agents.
CHEILITIS may be a reflection of allergy to flavouring agents in TOOTHPASTES, LIPSALVES, FOOD AND DRINK.
• CINNAMALDEHYDE
• CINNAMYL ALCOHOL
• EUGENOL
• AMYL CINNAMALDEHYDE
• HYDROXYCITRONNELLOL
• GERANIOL
• ISOEUGENOL
These are water soluble antimicrobials used as disinfectants, sterilizers and skin cleansers., in antiseptic creams and
shampoos. It is also used as preservative in pharmaceutical preparations. The various compounds are :
• CETRIMIDE
• BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
• DEQUALINIUM CHLORIDE.
They are toxic and can sensitize. They are now rarely prescribed for topical use although organic mercurial
chemicals still have a limited role as preservatives. These include PHENYL MERCURIC SALTS ( acetate, borate and nitrate) IN
CONTRACEPTIVES, COSMETICS, EMULSION PAINTS, OPTHALMIC SOLUTIONS, SHAMPOOS AND SHOES LININGS.
THIMEROSAL ( sodium ethyl mercury thiosalicylate) is a PRESERVATIVE. It is used in low concentration mainly
in VACCINES, IMMUNOGLOBULIN SOLUTIONS, EYE, EAR AND NOSE DROPS AND ALSO IN HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS AS A
TOPICAL ANTISEPTICS. Sensitivity may be due to mercury/ thiosalicylic acid/ both. Thiosalicylate sensitive patients show cross
sensitivity to PEROXICAM.
3. CHLORHEXIDINE (ANTISEPTIC)
It is a cationic biguanide and has been used for disinfection of the skin in various preparations based on its
gluconate, digluconate, acetate and diacetate salts. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs in a variety of situation like preoperative
4. HEXACLOROPHENE (ANTISEPTIC):
It is a halogenated phenolic antiseptic that was previously widely used in cosmetics, soaps and pharmaceutical
vehicles.
5. CHLOROXYLENOL (ANTISEPTIC)
It is a chlorinated phenol ANTISEPTIC. It is available as DETTOL in India. It is active against streptococci and less so
7. PARABENS ( PRESERVATIVES for cosmetic, drug and food) ------ parabens are ALKYL ESTERS OF p-
AMINOBENZOIC ACID. PROPYL AND METHYL PARABEN ESTERS ARE POPULAR PRESERVATIVES.
RELEASER.
SHOE DERMATITIS:
These are generally made of leather, rubber, synthetic plastics or canvas. As with cloth, the materials of the shoes are in
# COLOPHONY
# DYE
# LEATHER PRESERVATIVES
# ADHESIVES
CHROMIUM IS THE MOST COMMON ALLERGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR SHOE DERMATITITS IN INDIA.
CLINICAL FEATURE: Sweating causes allergens in shoes to leach out and cause sensitivity. The pattern of distribution will indicate
Dermatitis from the upper commonly starts over the dorsal surface of the big toes and spreads to the
dorsa of the feet and other toes. INTERDIGITAL SPACES ARE USUALLY SPARED. On the heels, the patches of dermatitis may
correspond to the heel cap, and on the foot may correspond to the tongue of the shoe. INSTEP USUALLY SPARED. NICKEL ALLERGY
from shoe buckles and eyelets may cause a localized dermatitis of the adjacent skin.
CLOTHING DERMATITIS:
1. MATERIAL OF CLOTH FIBRES: These include natural fibres like CELLULOSE ( in cotton and linen) and PROTEIN ( in wool and
silk. The artificial fibres consist of synthetic materials such as RAYON, NYLON, ACETATE, ACRYLIC OR POLYESTER. Elastic
fibres are either made from natural or synthetic rubber. UNTREATED NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC FIBRES CAUSE NO SKIN
PROBLEMS ( except sometimes wool and nylon). Contact dermatitis occurs with TREATED FIBRES.
• FORMALDEHYDE AND UREA RESINS for improving the quality of finished cloth.
3. DYES IN CLOTHES: DISPERSE AZO AND ANTHRAQUINONE DYES ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE CONTACT DERMATITIS. Common
dyes are :
• Disperse orange
• Disperse red
• Disperse yellow
4. DETERGENTS USED FOR WASHING CLOTHES : usually cause repeated INSULT DERMATITIS.
CLINICAL FEATURE:
Belt area.
Belt area.
STOCKING DERMATITIS: Dermatitis from nylon stockings is caused by AZO DYES which may cross react with PPD. THE AREAS
AFFECTED ARE THE DISTAL PARTS OF THE FEET, THE POPLITEAL REGION AND THE MIDDLE OF THE THIGHS.
SOCKS :
• Disperse dyes
• Chromate mordants.
PLASTIC DERMATITIS: DERMATITIS IS GENERALLY OCCUPATIONAL. Plastics are polymerized by the addition of curing agents,
stabilizers, plasticizers and catalysts. Antioxidants and accelerators are often added. Any of these can be irritants or sensitizers.
SOLID COMPLETELY POLYMERISED RESINS RARELY CAUSE DERMATITIS WHILE INCOMPLETELY CURED RESINS MAY BE IRRITANTS AND
SENSITIZERS.
FORMALDEHYDE RESINS:
PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE RESIN ( condensation of formaldehyde with phenol, cresol, resorchinal, p-tertiary butyl
phenol etc.).E.g. paper laminates and Bakelite, adhesives, glues. Occupational groups at greatest risk are :
ADHESIVE WORKERS, PLYWOOD, BOX MAKERS, DENTAL TECHNICIANS, TEXTILE WORKERS, SHOE MAKERS. P-
UREA FORMALDEHYDE RESINS : are used as CAPS, ELECTRIC FITTINGS, PRESS PLATES, SURFACE COATINGS,
TEXTILE RESINS.
• ACRYLATES: USED IN
LEATHER FINISHING
ADHESIVES
ARTIFICIAL JOINTS,PROSTHESIS
LENSES,DENTURES,
ARTIFICIAL RUBBER
PRINTING.
SURFACE COATING
POWDER PAINTS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
RUBBER DERMATITIS:
Natural rubber is obtained from LATEX, a substance extracted mainly from the HEVEA BRASILIENSIS
tree.
CARBAMATES are main sensitizers). However , other objects like condoms, shoes, boots, underwear
In the working environment, the principal sensitizers are the AMINE ANTIOXIDANT DERIVATIVES
CLINICAL FEATURE: A variety of presentation ------ eczematous, keratoses ( of palms and soles), purpura, achromia, urticaria.