Sunscreen Allergy: A Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Responsible Allergens

Elyse Scheuer; Erin Warshaw

Dermatitis. 2006;17(1):3-11.

Conclusion

Contact allergy and photocontact allergy to sunscreen agents are uncommon but not rare. Their prevalence may increase as sunscreen use continues to become more widespread. We have reviewed the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of sunscreen allergy and have provided an up-to-date discussion of sunscreen allergens and their appropriate patch-test concentrations. More research is needed to further elucidate the mechanisms and responsible moieties involved in both allergy and photoallergy to sunscreens.

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Cite this: Sunscreen Allergy: A Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Responsible Allergens - Medscape - Mar 01, 2006.

para-Amino Compounds Used in Sunscreens
Compound	Patch-Test Concentration*
PABA, 4-amino benzoic acid	2-5% or 10% pet
Amyl dimethyl PABA (padimate A, isoamyl-p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoate, Escalol 506, pentyl dimethyl PABA)	1% or 5% pet
Octyl dimethyl PABA (padimate O, Escalol 507, Eusolex 6007, octyl dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate)	2% or 5% pet
Glycerol PABA	2%, 5%, or 10% pet

PABA = para-aminobenzoic acid; pet = petrolatum.
*Recommended concentrations (adapted from Chemotechnique Diagnostics;^[36] De Groot AC;^[47] Trolab/Hermal.^[48]

Benzophenones*
Compound	Patch-Test Concentration†
Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567, oxybenzone, Uvinul M40)	10% pet
Mexenone (2-hydroxy-methoxymethylbenzophenone, benzophenone-10)	10% pet
Benzophenone-4 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, sulisobenzone, Uvinul MS40)	10% pet
Benzophenone-8 (dioxybenzone, dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone)	2% pet

pet = petrolatum.
*Benzophenones-1 to -12 are used in chemical sunscreens; the mostcommon of these to cause allergy are listed.
†Recommended concentrations (adapted from ChemotechniqueDiagnostics;^[36] De Groot AC;^[47] Trolab/Hermal^[48]).

Cinnamates
Compound	Patch-Test Concentration*
Parsol MCX (2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate, Escalol 557)	10% pet
Isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate (amylcinnamate)	10% pet
Cinoxate (2-ethoxyethel-p-methoxycinnamate, octyl methoxycinnamate)	2% pet
Ethyl cinnamate	4% pet

pet = petrolatum.
*Recommended concentrations (adapted from ChemotechniqueDiagnostics;^[36] De Groot AC;^[47] Trolab/Hermal^[48]).

Salicylates
Compound	Patch-Test Concentration*
Octyl salicylate (ethylhexyl salicylate)	5% pet
Menthyl salicylate	2% olive oil
Benzyl salicylate	1% pet
Homosalate (homomenthyl salicylate)	5% pet

pet = petrolatum.
*Recommended concentrations (adapted from ChemotechniqueDiagnostics;^[36] De Groot AC;^[47] Trolab/Hermal^[48]).

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Sunscreen Allergy: A Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Responsible Allergens

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