CHAPTER 21

COSMETIC DERMATITIS

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This type of dermatitis is more common in older age groups .Meanwhile, ,young children especially girls tend to imitate their parents in using cosmetics. . It is not uncommon that the mother finds her young child closing the door of her bedroom and putting on her face different types of makeup and cosmetic to feel that she is growing up .

This brief discussion may be of help to give a brief idea about dermatitis due to cosmetics .

Different and widespread cosmetics can cause contact dermatitis of the primary or the delayed allergic type.

Perfumes

Perfumes are the most  common sensitizers , followed by antimicrobial agents.

Perfume and formaldehyde may be present in any cosmetic. Balsams, flavoring agents and spices are also common sensitizers . Each natural perfume and spice contains a large number of different compounds representing a variety of reactive groups .

Commercial perfumes are mixtures of essential oils and synthetic compounds. The mixture of volatile substances determines the scent. To delay evaporation, ‘fixatives‘ are added. Common ‘fixatives‘ are balsams, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylates and synthetic musk. Sensitivity to synthetic musk has been reported , and sensitivity to balsams is usually common .

One of the many allergens in balsam of Peru is methyl cinnamate , which cross-reacts with the UV absorber methoxycinnamate .

Balsams: Balsam of Peru, gum benzoin , balsam of spruce, balsam of Tolu and Storax (eugenol) contain cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, esters of these and resins which may cause sensitization.

Balsam of peru is used as a fragrance in many cosmetics, perfumes, medical creams and ointments, some teas and flavoring agents in cough syrup, lozenges, chewing gum, and candies. It is also used to flavor colas, ice cream, baked products.

Fragrance mix: are found in many toiletries, such as perfumes, soaps, aftershaves, cosmetics, shampoos and many scented household products, detergents, polishes, solvents, deodorizers, and cleaning fluids.

The analysis of perfume sensitivity is laborious because of its numerous components. However, systematic studies of the sensitizers in modern perfumes have been published.

Hypoallergenic products free from fragrance may be available to be used by persons allergic to fragrance. Certain types of food containing cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, cardamon and citrus fruits should be avoided in severely allergic children, where these may cross react with fragrance.

Antioxidants:

These include organic dyes, lanolin , emulsifiers and UV absorbers .

 

DIFFERENT COSMETICS

Creams as emollients , lanolin ,sunscreens , creams used for lightening of the skin containing ammoniated mercury, may cause skin sensitization .

Face creams as Azo dyes, lanolin, paraben, Miranols, Germall 115, Germall II, Dowicil 200, Bronopol, and Kathon CG. Euxyl K400 and Phenyl mercuric salts may produce allergic contact dermatitis that is usually acute with vesiculation and bullae at the site of contact especially in young children.

Cosmetics, sunscreens, toilet soaps, detergents, toilet papers and a number of industrial products (floor wax, shoe creams and cutting oils contain perfumes.

Pharmaceutical creams may also contain perfumes, turpentine and colophony (resin) Face powders: Azo dyes, Parabens,Germall ll5, Dowicil 200.


Fig. 177. Cosmetic dermatitis (Eyeliner)


Fig. 179. Cosmetic dermatitis (Acniform &Hypopigmentation)


Fig. 178. Cosmetic dermatitis


Fig. 181. Lipstick contact dermatitis


Fig. 180. Bullous Contact dermatitis


Fig. 183a. Berloque dermatitis


Fig. 182. Cosmetic dermatitis

Hand lotions:

Different creams containing lanolin, coconut diethanolamide, quaternary ammonium compounds; Bronopol, Kathon CG, Liquid soaps, lauryl ether sulfate and coconut diethanolamide may cause contact dermatitis.

Soap and shampoo

Soap and shampoo containing perfumes or benzyl salicylates may also cause eczematous reaction especially in patients with sensitive skin.

Anitperspirants

Zinc and aluminum salts and zirconium preparations present in deodorants may elicit allergic granuloma.

Deodorants : containing antibiotics such as neomycin or aluminum, chlorinated phenols like hexachlorophene, Irgasan and hydroxyquinolines may cause local eczematous reaction .


Fig. 183b.. (Berloque Dermatitis)

Hair preparations :

Different hair preparations may act as sensitizers. Some of these are:

Hair dyes: phenylenediamine, toluenediamine, nitro-PPD, p-aminodiphenylamine, resorcinol and pyrogallol.

Hair lacquers: shellac, benzoin, cyclohexanone-formaldehyde resin .

Hair creams and gels: lanolin, paraben, musk, ambrette, Germall.

Hair lotions: quinine, resorcinol, hexamidine isethionate.

Hair detergents: azo dyes, hydroxyquinolines, zinc Pyrithium.

Mascara, eyebrow pencils, dyes, and alcohol.

Hair shampoos containing perfumes , tars , salicylic acid , Resorcin , quinine sulfate, detergent, azo dyes, hydroxyquinolines, zinc Pyrithium , cinchona , lanolin, paraben, p-phenylenediamine, hair dyes containing p-toluenediamine, resorcinol, pyrogallol, musk may act as a common skin sensitizers.

Hair sprays : containing lanolin, shellac or gum Arabic .


Fig. 184. Cosmetic dermatitis (Hair straightening Gel)

Nail preparations :

Products which contain formaldehyde and sulfonamides are considered as a common cause of neck and eyelid dermatitis when these come in contact with skin.

Eye preparations : These may contain perfumes , mascara eyeliner and eye shadow.

Essential oils such as almond may cause contact dermatitis or photosensitization .

Lip preparations

Rouge azo dyes, Quinazoline yellow may cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Lipsticks : Coloring or flavoring preparations may cause contact dermatitis.

Other preparations such as azo dyes (Quinazoline yellow), carmine, lanolin, Oleyl alcohol , castor oil, propyl gallate , monotertiary butyl hydroquinone and amyldimethyl PABA .

Almond, perfumes, color or other additives or Di and tetrabromofluorocin may cause contact lip dermatitis and may lead to painful fissuring of the lips.

                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                     Fig.184 Cosmetic dermatitis

                                                                                                                                                                         (Face cream containing photosensitizer)

Flavoring agents

Contact sensitivity to spices occurs mainly from occupational exposure, but sensitivity to mustard, cinnamon , vanilla , allspice, oil of juniper and cloves are not uncommon sensitizers, even among consumers. In the modern food industry a large number of synthetic flavoring agents are used.

Adhesive tape

Adhesive tapes contain colophony, dammar, rubber chemicals, lanolin, acrylates and diphenyl-thiourea, Stoma pouch plastic can contain epoxy resin.

Topical medications

Almost any topical medication may act as a skin sensitizer including such widely used agents such as benzoyl peroxide and parabens.

Rubber, chemicals in the rubber bulbs of eye drop bottles have been described . Beeswax (propolis)  has increasingly considered as sensitizers in ‘natural‘ ointments. Allylthiourea and royal jelly can also sensitize skin.

  

OTHER SENSITIZING COSMETICS

Tranquillizers, Phenothiazine sensitizes the skin when used as syrups or as crushed tablets when come in contact with the hands.

Hydroxyquinolines

These are mainly used as topical medications but may also be present in cosmetics, antidandruff agents, waterless cleansers, mouthwashes, etc. A wide spectrum of cross-sensitization occurs .

Formaldehyde

Free formaldehyde may be present in formaldehyde resins, e.g. in textiles. It may be used as a preservative in cosmetics, e.g. shampoos, detergents, floor polishes, cutting oils, glues and as a disinfectant for sugar processing. It is used as a deodorant, tanning agent for tissue fixation and the preservation of anatomical and pathological specimens . Paraformaldehyde is used in foot powders.

Interest in the toxicity of formaldehyde has recently intensified for reasons including its release from certain heat-insulation materials into the internal environment of buildings .

Tooth and mouthwashes :

Fluorine ,antiseptics , essential oils and flavoring ingredients may cause eczematous reaction . Toothpaste containing flourin and flavoring agents as mints is common cause of mouth dermatitis.

Diagnosis of cosmetic dermatitis

Skin tests: patch testing with the suspected sensitizer.

Treatment:

The main line of treatment is to avoid contact with the suspected cosmetic. Topical and systemic preparation can treat the existing lesions, but will not prevent sensitization after repeated exposure to the sensitizers after healing of the previous ones. This is why it is of crucial importance to instruct the mother to watch her baby in order to spot the specific sensitizer and to stop completely exposure of her child to such irritants.

Acute and weeping lesions: dryness by potassium permenganate 1: 9000 compresses applied several times.

Mild corticosteroid cream is applied.

Inflamed cases need topical antibiotic cream alone or in combination with topical steroid such as (decoderm) and oral antibiotic such as erythromycin suspension or Zithromax.

Dry lesions responds to an emollient and topical steroid ointment.

Antihistamine orally may be needed to relieve itching.

  

REFERENCES

  1. Adams RM, Maibach HI. A five-year study of cosmetic reactions. J Am Acad Dermatol 1985; 13: 1062-9.

  2. De Groot AC. Adverse Reactions to Cosmetics. Groningen, The Netherlands: State University of Groningen, 1988 .

  3. Nater JP, de Groot AC. Unwanted Effects of Cosmetics and Drugs Used in Dermatology, 2nd edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier,1983.

  4. Bardazzi F, Misciali C, Borrello P et al. Contact dermatitis due to antioxidants. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 385-6.

  5. Cronin E. Contact Dermatitis. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1980: 264-5.

  6. Nater JP, de Groot AC. Unwanted Effects of Cosmetics and Drugs Used in Dermatology, 2nd edn. Amsterdam: Elsevier,1983.

  7. De Groot AC. Labelling cosmetics with their ingredients. Br Med J 1990; 300: 1636-8.

  8. De Groot AC, Beverdam E. Tjong Ayong C et al. The role of contact allergy in the spectrum of adverse effects caused by cosmetics and toiletries. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 195-201.

  9. Suyai T, Takahashi Y, Takagi T. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis and coal tar dyes. Contact Derm 1977; 3: 249.

  10. Nakayama H, Harada R, Toda M. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis. Int J Dermatol 1976; 15: 673-5.

  11. Koch SE, Mathias T, Maibach HI. Chloracetamide: an unusual cause of cosmetic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 1985; 121: 172-3.

  12. Taylor JS. Adhesives, gums and resins. In: Fisher AA. Contact Dermatitis, 3rd edn. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1986: 667-74.

  13. Calnan CD. Unusual hydroxycitronellal perfume dermatitis. Contact Derm 1979; 5: 123.

  14. Dooms-Goossens A, Dubelloy R, Degreef H. Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis to spices. Dermatol Clin 1990; 8: 89-93.

  15. Larsen WG. Perfume dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1985; 12: 1-9.

  16. Shelley WB, Hurley HJ. The allergic origin of zirconium deodorant granulomas. Br J Dermatol 1958; 70: 75-101.

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