Irritant reactions to an antiseptic bath emollient

BACKGROUND: Antiseptic bath emollients are important in the management of a topic eczema, helping to reduce the Staphylococcus aureus load and the freq uency and severity of infective relapse. METHODS: We report seven cases who developed an irritant reaction to Oilatu m Plus(R) (OP), an antiseptic bath emollient containing benzalkonium chlori de (6%) and triclosan (2%). RESULTS: A typical feature is the lack of itch and patients often report on ly slight discomfort, in contrast with atopic eczema. Clinically, there is erythema, sometimes surmounted or surrounded by desquamation, often of an u nusual brown colour. The most frequently involved areas are skin flexures a nd otherwise occluded skin, which may be explained by an increased penetrat ion of the offending agent into the skin, In three cases, the reaction foll owed excessive or inappropriate use of OP bath emollient, but in other case s the reaction occurred even with apparently correct use of OF. CONCLUSION: Individual susceptibility to an irritant reaction from benzalko nium chloride and/or triclosan seems likely. The clinician should be aware of the potential for irritation from OP, and should advise patients on its correct use.