SENSITIZATION TO EUXYL-K400, A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY IN 1,217 PATIENTS

Euxyl K400 is a biocide used in cosmetics. It is composed of phenoxyet hanol and dibromodicyanobutane. From January of 1988 to October of 199 4, 1,217 patients with contact dermatitis were tested with Euxyl K400, 2% petrolatum. This study had three aims: to monitor and record the e volution of the rate of sensitization, to study the sensitized populat ion, to determine the sensitizing compound present in Euxyl K400. The rate of sensitization increased; animal studies were not able to predi ct this sensitization; this fact shows the interest of ''active cosmet ovigilance''. Dibromodicyanobutane is the main allergen in Euxyl K400 but it is not the only one.