True photoallergy to sunscreens is rare despite popular belief.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Rising use of sunscreen products has led to increased reporting of adverse reactions to sunscreens.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate possible photoallergic reactions in patients who identified themselves as "being allergic" to sunscreens.

METHODS:

Patients filled out questionnaires about types of sunscreens they used and timing of their "allergic" reactions. Next, they consented to be photopatch-tested with active sunscreen ingredients, including the new sunscreen Anthelios SX (containing Mexoryl SX) and the new ultraviolet filters Tinosorb M and Tinosorb S. Standard allergen patch testing was also done.

RESULTS:

Twenty-seven patients self-reported "sunscreen allergy." Photopatch testing is difficult for patients; hence, only 11 agreed to proceed with the testing. Eight patients had negative patch testing results. One patient reacted to benzophenone-2. Another had a prior reaction to titanium dioxide and titanium oxalate but did not react to the silicone-coated titanium in our study. Yet another patient had relevant photopatch reactions to benzophenone-3 and ethylhexyl dimethyl para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). None reacted to the Tinosorbs or Anthelios SX. Few positive reactions to the standard allergens were not relevant.

CONCLUSION:

Although small, this study parallels prior studies in concluding that true delayed type IV hypersensitivity (allergic contact dermatitis and photoallergy) to sunscreens is more infrequent than patients tend to believe.

• Authors: Tatyana Shaw, Brenda Simpson, Brittney Wilson, Holly Oostman, David Rainey, Frances Storrs
• Journal: Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug (Dermatitis) 2010 Jul-Aug Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 185-98 ISSN: 2162-5220 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20646669 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzophenones
• Camphanes
• Chalcones
• Cyanoacrylates
• Drug Combinations
• Oxalates
• Phenols
• Sulfonic Acids
• Sunscreening Agents
• Triazines
• avobenzone, ecamsule, octocrilene drug combination
• methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylphenol
• terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid
• titanium dioxide
• Titanium
• 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone
• bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine
• 4-Aminobenzoic Acid

Topics

• 4-Aminobenzoic Acid (adverse effects)
• Benzophenones (adverse effects)
• Camphanes (adverse effects)
• Chalcones (adverse effects)
• Cyanoacrylates (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Photoallergic (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oxalates (adverse effects)
• Patch Tests
• Phenols (adverse effects)
• Sulfonic Acids (adverse effects)
• Sunscreening Agents (adverse effects)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Titanium (adverse effects)
• Triazines (adverse effects)