TY - JOUR

T1 - The epidemic of methylisothiazolinone

T2 - a European prospective study

AU - Schwensen, Jakob F.

AU - Uter, Wolfgang

AU - Bruze, Magnus

AU - Svedman, Cecilia

AU - Goossens, An

AU - Wilkinson, Mark

AU - Giménez Arnau, Ana

AU - Gonçalo, Margarida

AU - Andersen, Klaus E.

AU - Paulsen, Evy

AU - Agner, Tove

AU - Foti, Caterina

AU - Aalto-Korte, Kristiina

AU - McFadden, John

AU - White, Ian

AU - Johansen, Jeanne D.

PY - 2017/5

Y1 - 2017/5

N2 - Background: The use of methylisothiazolinone (MI) in cosmetic products has caused an unprecedented epidemic of MI contact allergy. Current data concerning exposures at a European level are required. Objectives: To describe demographics and MI exposures for European patients with MI contact allergy. Methods: Eleven European dermatology departments from eight European countries prospectively collected data between 1 May and 31 October 2015 among consecutive patients who had positive patch test reactions to MI (2000 ppm aq.). Results: A total of 6.0% (205/3434; range 2.6–13.0%) of patients had positive patch test reactions to MI. Dermatitis most frequently affected the hands (43.4%), face (32.7%), arms (14.6%), and eyelids (11.7%); 12.7% had widespread dermatitis. For 72.7% (149/205), MI contact allergy was currently relevant mainly because of exposure to cosmetic products (83.2%; 124/149). Of these 124 patients, 19.5% were exposed to leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic products, 24.8% only to leave-on cosmetic products and 38.9% only to rinse-off cosmetic products containing MI or methylchloroisothiazolinone/MI. The majority of these (79%) noted onset of their dermatitis between 2013 and 2015. Fifteen patients (7.3%) had previously experienced allergic reactions when they were in newly painted rooms. Conclusion: Clinically relevant MI contact allergy remains prevalent across European countries, mainly because of exposure to rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products.

AB - Background: The use of methylisothiazolinone (MI) in cosmetic products has caused an unprecedented epidemic of MI contact allergy. Current data concerning exposures at a European level are required. Objectives: To describe demographics and MI exposures for European patients with MI contact allergy. Methods: Eleven European dermatology departments from eight European countries prospectively collected data between 1 May and 31 October 2015 among consecutive patients who had positive patch test reactions to MI (2000 ppm aq.). Results: A total of 6.0% (205/3434; range 2.6–13.0%) of patients had positive patch test reactions to MI. Dermatitis most frequently affected the hands (43.4%), face (32.7%), arms (14.6%), and eyelids (11.7%); 12.7% had widespread dermatitis. For 72.7% (149/205), MI contact allergy was currently relevant mainly because of exposure to cosmetic products (83.2%; 124/149). Of these 124 patients, 19.5% were exposed to leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic products, 24.8% only to leave-on cosmetic products and 38.9% only to rinse-off cosmetic products containing MI or methylchloroisothiazolinone/MI. The majority of these (79%) noted onset of their dermatitis between 2013 and 2015. Fifteen patients (7.3%) had previously experienced allergic reactions when they were in newly painted rooms. Conclusion: Clinically relevant MI contact allergy remains prevalent across European countries, mainly because of exposure to rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products.

KW - allergic contact dermatitis

KW - CAS no. 2682-20-4

KW - cosmetics

KW - exposure

KW - methylchloroisothiazolinone

KW - methylisothiazolinone

U2 - 10.1111/cod.12733

DO - 10.1111/cod.12733

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28032337

AN - SCOPUS:85007414683

VL - 76

SP - 272

EP - 279

JO - Contact Dermatitis

JF - Contact Dermatitis

SN - 0105-1873

IS - 5

ER -