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Standard photopatch test battery? Proposal based on current epidemiology and experience in our Skin Allergy Unit
Rubén García Castro1, Virginia Velasco Tirado1, Montserrat Alonso Sardón2
1Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínico de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Background:
The diagnosis of photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) is confirmed by photopatch testing (PPT). In Spain, the latest recommendation on which allergens to test in PPT dates from 1995.
Methods:
In the last 4 years, we studied 455 patients with epicutaneous tests and performed PPT on 33 of those patients (7.3%).
Results:
The most prevalent allergens in PPT were as follows: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (46%), fragrances (21%), and solar filters (18%).
Discussion:
In our country, the most common photoallergens continue to be NSAIDs (ketoprofen). The increasingly common use of sunscreens has led to a growing involvement of solar filters in PACD, which can be also contained in other cosmetics. In our experience, PACD due to fragrances is nonetheless at least similar in frequency.
Conclusions:
The PPT battery must adapt to the prescription, use, and exposure habits of each country. We propose a diagnostic model to guide which allergens to test in PPT, which in our experience should also include fragrances.
