Deodorants are one of the most marketed types of cosmetics and are fre
quently reported as a cause of dermatitis, particularly among fragranc
e-sensitive persons. The aim of this study was to investigate the abil
ity of deodorants, which had previously caused axillary dermatitis in
fragrance-mix-sensitive eczema patients, to provoke reactions on repea
ted open application tests on the upper arm and in the axillae, and to
relate the findings to the content of fragrance-mix constituents in t
hose deodorants. 14 eczema patients performed a 7-day use test with 1
or 2 deodorants that had caused a rash within the last 12 months. 2 ap
plications per day were made in the axilla and simultaneously on a 25
cm(2) area on the upper arm. A total of 20 deodorants were tested amon
g the 14 patients. Afterwards, the deodorants were subjected to quanti
tative chemical analysis identifying constituents of the fragrance mix
. 12/20 (60%) deodorants elicited eczema on use testing in the axilla.
8/12 deodorants were positive in the axilla on day (D) 7 and 4 both i
n the axilla and on the upper arm. 2 of the 4 developed a reaction in
the axilla before it developed on the upper arm. Chemical analysis rev
ealed that 18/19 deodorants contained between 1 and 6 of the fragrance
-mix constituents, on average 3 being found. The mean concentration of
fragrance-mix constituents was generally higher in the deodorants cau
sing a positive use test, as compared with those giving a negative rea
ction, indicating that the differences between the deodorants in terms
of elicitation potential were more related to quantitative aspects of
allergen content than of a qualitative nature. It is recommended that
deodorants are tested in the axilla in the case of a negative use tes
t on the upper arm and a strong clinical suspicion.