[Photoallergic contact dermatitis by benzophenone containing sunscreening preparations]

The case of a 42-year-old woman with sunlight-provoked eczematous eruptions recurrent over several years is reported. Photopatch-testing with cosmetic products and sunscreen preparations used by the patient as well as the active ingredient of the sunscreen formulations revealed photosensitivity to the UV-blocking agent 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone. The active wavelengths were shown to be in the UV-A range.