EXPOSURE TO SELECTED FRAGRANCE MATERIALS - A CASE-STUDY OF FRAGRANCE-MIX-POSITIVE ECZEMA PATIENTS

The aim of the present study was to assess exposure to constituents of the fragrance mix from cosmetic products used by fragrance-mix-positi ve eczema patients. 23 products, which had either given a positive pat ch and/or use test in a total of 11 fragrance-mix-positive patients, w ere analyzed. In all cases. the use of these cosmetics completely or p artly explained present or past episodes of eczema. Between 1 to 6 con stituents of the fragrance mix were found in 22 out of 23 products. Th e cosmetics of all the patients sensitive to hydroxycitronellal, eugen ol, cinnamic alcohol and alpha-amylcinnamic aldehyde were found to con tain the respective substances. Exposure concentrations were seen to c over a large range. The content of hydroxycitronellal was, on average, 5xhigher in cosmetics from hydroxycitronellal-sensitive patients, com pared to cosmetics from hydroxycitronellal-negative patients. It is co ncluded that exposure to constituents of the fragrance mix is common i n fragrance-allergic patients with cosmetic eczema, and that the fragr ance mix is a good reflection of actual exposure. (C) Munksgaard, 1996 .