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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
08:25
Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
3.6K
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by cocamide diethanolamine
Sarien Mertens1, Liesbeth Gilissen1, An Goossens1
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Contact Dermatitis
|May 5, 2016
Summary
Cocamide DEA allergy is rare, affecting 1% of patients tested, with no increasing trend observed. Most cases involved hand dermatitis, often linked to occupational exposure and impaired skin barriers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Cocamide DEA (CAS no. 68603-42-9) is a common non-ionic surfactant in industrial, household, and cosmetic products.
- While contact allergy to Cocamide DEA was historically rare, recent case reports suggest a potential increase in allergic dermatitis.
- This study investigates the characteristics of patients with Cocamide DEA allergy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe patients diagnosed with Cocamide DEA allergy.
- To analyze demographic characteristics and patch test results of affected individuals.
- To assess the prevalence and trends of Cocamide DEA allergy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical charts from 1990 to December 2015.
- Inclusion of patients investigated for Cocamide DEA allergy.
- Analysis of demographic data and patch test outcomes.
Main Results:
- 18 out of 1767 patients (1%) showed allergic reactions to Cocamide DEA.
- Allergic reactions primarily manifested as hand dermatitis.
- Twelve patients had occupational exposure, 15 showed multiple positive reactions, and 7 had atopic dermatitis.
Conclusions:
- Cocamide DEA allergy is uncommon, with no observed increase in frequency despite widespread use.
- Shampoos and liquid hand soaps/cleansers were the main sources of exposure.
- Patients often had compromised skin barriers due to atopic or previous contact dermatitis.
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