Research Summary
Despite its widespread use as a preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, as well as for other applications, only very few cases of allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria to phenoxyethanol (PE) have been reported. Accordingly, a retrospective study of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) revealed a very low sensitization rate of 0.24% among 6,932 individuals patch tested in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland between 1996 and 2009. Similarly, in 681 cutting metalworkers patch tested with the DKG metalworking fluids series in IVDK centers from 2010 to 2018, sensitization to PE was rarely observed (0.3%).
Although rare, allergic contact dermatitis to PE should be considered, and if undiscovered, may lead to longstanding disease and inefficient treatments. The present case illustrates the importance of performing early patch tests to avoid delays in diagnosis and prevention measures. Diagnostic workup of patients with suspected occupational hand dermatitis should include patch testing, and in doubtful cases, also repeated open application tests (ROAT) with the patient's own skin care products.
Keywords: 2-phenoxyethanol, allergic contact dermatitis, CAS no. 122-99-6, case report, cosmetics, hand eczema, occupational, preservative.
<Access the full report below>