New cosmetic allergens: isononyl isononanoate and trioleyl phosphate

NaOH ist nicht NaCl – ulzeröse Reaktion auf Natronlauge bei der Epikutantestung der Inhaltsstoffe einer Sonnenschutzcreme

Bei der Epikutantestung mit patienteneigenem Material oder Einzelsubstanzen von komplexen Zubereitungen sind die Auswahl der Testsubstanzen und die Bedingungen, zu denen diese Substanzen getestet werden, von besonderer Wichtigkeit. Wir berichten über eine Patientin, bei der eine allergische Kontaktdermatitis nach Applikation einer Sonnencreme entstanden war. Im Rahmen der diagnostischen Epikutanteste wurden auch die einzelnen Inhaltstoffe der Sonnencreme, die vom Hersteller zur Verfügung gestellt worden waren, getestet. Dabei kam es zu einem folgenschweren Fehler, indem diese Inhaltsstoffe ohne ausreichende Überprüfung getestet wurden und u. a. Natronlauge appliziert wurde. Die entstandene Kolliquationsnekrose am Testort heilte erst innerhalb von ca. 2,5 Monaten spontan ab und gab Anlass für einen Haftpflichtfall. Die Aufarbeitung dieser Fehlleistung und die Konsequenzen, die in unserer Abteilung getroffen wurden, um dergleichen Probleme in Zukunft sicher vermeiden zu können, werden besprochen.

New Contact Allergens: 2008 to 2015

Every year, new contact allergens, chemicals reported to have caused contact allergy/ACD for the first time, are described in literature. In the journals Contact Dermatitis and Dermatitis, 172 such compounds were identified in the period 2008-2015, 119 of which induced ACD. These are presented with the following data: name, synonyms, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, patch test data, function or class, causative product, number of patients, occupation (in case of occupational ACD), additional clinical data (if applicable), and references. Approximately one third of the new allergens were ingredients of cosmetics, followed by drugs causing occupational ACD (18%), chemicals in rubber, plastics, and paints (9%), drugs causing a drug eruption (9%), as well as chemicals used in laboratories inducing occupational ACD (8%). In 40%, the dermatitis was occupationally acquired. Fifty-three other chemicals causing contact allergy as indicated by positive patch test reactions only are shown without specifics.

Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Pelargonic Acid (Nonanoic Acid) and Nonanoate Esters

Pelargonic acid and its esters function as skin-conditioning agents in cosmetics. Molecular weight (mw) and octanol–water partition coefficient data suggest that dermal penetration is possible. The biohandling of branched-chain fatty acids is not the same as for straight-chain fatty acids, but the differences are not significant to the conclusion that they all are readily metabolized to nontoxic moieties. Limited data suggested that the penetration of other ingredients may be enhanced if these ingredients are present in the same formulation. These ingredients are not significant oral or dermal toxicants in animal studies. They are not reproductive/developmental toxicants or genotoxic/carcinogenic in animal studies. The available data suggested that product formulations containing these ingredients would be nonirritating and nonsensitizing to human skin, but formulators were cautioned to consider the penetration enhancement potential. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration.

Contact-allergic reactions to cosmetics

Contact-allergic reactions to cosmetics may be delayed-type reactions such as allergic and photo-allergic contact dermatitis, and more exceptionally also immediate-type reactions, that is, contact urticaria. Fragrances and preservative agents are the most important contact allergens, but reactions also occur to category-specific products such as hair dyes and other hair-care products, nail cosmetics, sunscreens, as well as to antioxidants, vehicles, emulsifiers, and, in fact, any possible cosmetic ingredient. Patch and prick testing to detect the respective culprits remains the golden standard for diagnosis, although additional tests might be useful as well. Once the specific allergens are identified, the patients should be informed of which products can be safely used in the future.