Fragrance contact allergy: a 4‐year retrospective study

Abstract

Classic markers detect the majority of cases of fragrance contact allergy. We recommend incorporating FM II in the Spanish baseline series, as in the European baseline series, and using a specific fragrance series to study patients allergic to a fragrance marker.

Baseline series fragrance markers fail to predict contact allergy

“…It is difficult to find comparable studies in the literature. Most authors report testing patients with the 26 labelled fragrances only in the context of clinical suspicion or positive reactions to a fragrance marker in the baseline series . However, in a recent Danish study by Heisterberg et al.…”

“…Some will only do so if the clinical history suggests fragrance allergy, or if the patient reacts to a fragrance screening marker in the baseline series. However, a number of data series in the literature suggest that this method will not diagnose all cases of fragrance contact allergy .…”

Fragrance Series Testing in Eyelid Dermatitis

“…The authors also noted that fragrance series testing was of additional benefit in identifying specific contact allergens, given that 75% of those positive to FM I were also positive to allergens within the fragrance series. 7 Interestingly, a significant proportion of individuals who benefited from fragrance series testing tested negative for FM I and/or FM II but had positive reactions to their corresponding constituents on the fragrance tray. Discrepancies with fragrance mix testing have been described previously, with the more commonly reported scenario involving a positive patch test to the mix with a negative response to its components.…”

“…6 Fragrances have emerged as a frequent source of ACD, affecting approximately 1% of the general population and 6% to 14% of patients with contact dermatitis. 7 Results from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) found that myroxylon pereirae and fragrance mix I (FM I) were the second and third most common allergens detected on patch testing during the 2-year period between 2005 and 2006. 8 Numerous studies have demonstrated that fragrances may be a particularly significant cause of eyelid ACD.…”

Benzyl alcohol [MAK Value Documentation, 2017]

“…In a Spanish study, 2 of 86 patients with diagnostic or anamnestic evidence of fragrance intolerance reacted to 1% benzyl alcohol (no other details) in the period between October 2004 and June 2008 (Cuesta et al 2010).…”