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Allergic contact dermatitis from shellac in mascara.
Christophe-J Le Coz1, Jean-Marie Leclere, Elisabeth Arnoult
1Unité de Dermato-Allergologie, Dermatologie Professionnelle & Photobiologie, Clinique Dermatologique des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France. christophe.lecoz@wanadoo.fr
Contact Dermatitis
|May 10, 2002
Summary
Mascara use led to allergic contact dermatitis in six women, primarily due to shellac. This highlights the need for monitoring emerging cosmetic allergens.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a significant concern in cosmetic use.
- Identifying causative agents in cosmetics is crucial for patient management and public health.
Observation:
- Six cases of eyelid ACD were observed in women aged 17-34 years between 1999 and 2001.
- Mascara was identified as the common cosmetic product linked to the allergic reactions.
Findings:
- Shellac was the primary allergen, causing positive patch test reactions in all tested patients (5/5).
- Quaternium-22 was identified as a co-allergen in one patient.
- The specific allergenic component (hapten) within shellac remains unidentified, with variability based on source and processing.
Implications:
- This study underscores the importance of surveillance networks like REVIDAL-GERDA in detecting new contact allergens.
- Dissemination of information regarding emerging cosmetic allergens is vital for the medical community.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact nature of shellac allergens in cosmetics.