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Anaphylaxis caused by topical application of a sunscreen containing benzophenone‐3
Author(s) -
Spijker Geert T.,
Schuttelaar MarieLouise A.,
Barkema Laurens,
Velders Alex,
Coenraads PieterJan
Publication year - 2008
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/j.1600-0536.2008.01337.x
Subject(s) - medicine , university hospital , family medicine
About 15 min after applying a sunscreen (Sunspray SPF 15 water resistant; Hegron Cosmetics , Purmerend, the Netherlands) all over her body and before sun exposure, a 44-year-old woman fainted with generalized wheals, an inspiratory stridor, low blood pressure (74/46 mmHg), and increased heart rate. She required resuscitation with epinephrine, dexamethasone, clemastine, and saline and was transferred to a hospital. Some months before, she had experienced pruritus, erythema, and nausea within 30 min of putting on her bathing suit, which she had also worn earlier while she applied the sunscreen. She had used the sunscreen previously without apparent problem. She had no relevant past history. Patch testing with benzophenone-3 (10%pet.;Trolab ,Hermal,Reinbek, Germany) resulted in an urticarial reaction at the test site within 20 min. Patch tests with the European baseline series (TRUE test; Mekos, Hillerod, Denmark) and textile, cosmetic, and perfume series were negative. Photo patch tests (without benzophenone-3) were negative. No specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies were found against inhalation allergens or latex. An assay for detection of IgE to benzophenone-3 was explored by incubating benzophenone-3 with human serum albumin immobilized to caps followed by specific IgE measurement (ImmunoCap; Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden), but no specific IgE to benzophenone-3 could be detected.