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The dramatic increase in the rate of methylisothiazolinone contact allergy in B elgium: a multicentre study
Author(s) -
Aerts Olivier,
Baeck Marie,
Constandt Lieve,
Dezfoulian Bita,
Jacobs MarieClaude,
Kerre Stefan,
Lapeere Hilde,
Pierret Lauranne,
Wouters Kristien,
Goossens An
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12249
Subject(s) - medicine , cosmetics , contact allergy , allergy , dermatology , contact dermatitis , sensitization , allergic contact dermatitis , patch test , immunology , pathology
Summary Background The rate of contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylisothiazolinone ( MI ) is dramatically increasing throughout E urope. Objectives To report on methylchloroisothiazolinone ( MCI )/ MI and MI allergy in B elgium. Patients and methods Between J anuary 2010 and D ecember 2012, the medical charts of 6599 patients of the B elgian C ontact and E nvironmental D ermatitis G roup 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. Conclusion A dramatic increase in the rate of contact allergy caused by MI in cosmetics is occurring in B elgium. 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.