The Value of Patch Testing for Cosmetic Allergens

Adding supplemental testing to the standard patch test series increased the yield of positive reactions in patients with suspected cosmetic contact allergy.

Individuals with suspected cutaneous reactions to cosmetics are frequently evaluated with patch testing. To determine the value of adding supplemental testing with the cosmetic series of reagents to the standard series, researchers retrospectively evaluated results of patch tests conducted from 2000 to 2007 at one clinical center in 945 patients (age range, 6–91 years; mostly female) with a suspected cosmetic contact allergy. All patients received a standard screening series, including the thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous (TRUE) test, and a supplemental cosmetic series.

More than two thirds of the patients had at least one positive reaction; nearly half had two positive reactions; and almost one third had three or more positive reactions. P…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)