Sunscreen sensitization: a 5-year study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sunscreen conta ct allergy and/or contact photoallergy in 370 patients,vith suspected photo dermatitis. Patch and photopatch tests were performed using the French Soci ety of Photodermatology (SFPD) standard series. A total of 57 cases of cont act allergy and/or photocontact allergy to sunscreens were diagnosed (15.4% ). Amongst these, 27 reactions were related to oxybenzone and 14 to isoprop yl dibenzoylmethane. These results, obtained from January 1990 to December 1994, confirm that, given the high frequency of photosensitization cases, a large part of the battery of photopatch tests should be dedicated to sunbl ocks.