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Cheilitis caused by contact allergy to cocamidopropyl betaine in ‘2‐in‐1 toothpaste and mouthwash’
Author(s) -
Agar Nita,
Freeman Susanne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2005.00129.x
Subject(s) - medicine , toothpaste , dermatology , allergy , patch test , contact dermatitis , contact allergy , dentistry , immunology
SUMMARY A 10‐year‐old girl presented with a 2‐year history of severe cheilitis. Despite cessation of any lip‐licking behaviour her symptoms continued to worsen, with only minimum relief from therapeutic measures. Patch testing proved strongly positive to cocamidopropyl betaine, which was noted to be present in the patient's ‘2‐in‐1 toothpaste and mouthwash’. Her cheilitis settled after avoidance of this product. Cocamidopropyl betaine, a surfactant, is a common allergen in hairdressers; however, this case highlights the importance of excluding a contact allergy to this product in patients with intractable cheilitis.