SAN FRANCISCO — Fragrances, lip balm, and nickel are the allergens most responsible for allergic contact cheilitis, which is more prevalent in women.
The data come from a subset of 10,061 patients with allergic contact dermatitis who were treated and underwent patch testing between 2001 and 2004. Of those, 75 (0.7%) had a skin condition limited to the lips and at least one clinically relevant positive patch-test reaction, Dr. Joseph F. Fowler Jr. told a meeting sponsored by Skin Disease Education Foundation (SDEF).
Of those 75, 92% were female. Fragrance mix was the most common allergen with a positive patch-test result in 30% of the patients. Myroxylon pereirae (balsam of Peru) tested positive in 23%, and nickel sulfate tested positive in 22%, Dr. Fowler of the University of Louisville (Ky.) and his coauthors wrote (Dermatitis 2008;19:202-8).
Other allergens showing positive reactions in more than 5% of patients were sodium gold thiosulfate, neomycin sulfate, cobalt chloride, propylene glycol, lanolin alcohol, and cinnamic aldehyde. Makeup and lipsticks were the most common sources of allergic reactions. Jewelry was next, followed by medicaments such as neomycin and oral hygiene products such as toothpaste. Just over one-third of the patients also had another condition, including atopic diathesis and irritant dermatitis, that contributed to their lip dermatitis.
Dr. Fowler acknowledged serving as a consultant and performing clinical studies for many pharmaceutical companies. SDEF and this news organization are owned by Elsevier.