From the Guidelines
The most common contact allergens are nickel, fragrance, cobalt, hydroxyisohexyl cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, and p-phenylenediamine (PPD), with prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 37% in the general population in Europe 1.
Key Allergens
- Nickel: a common allergen, with a prevalence of 14.5% in the general population in Europe 1
- Fragrance: the most common allergen, with a prevalence of 37% in the general population in Europe 1
- Cobalt: an allergen with a prevalence of 22% in the general population in Europe 1
- Hydroxyisohexyl cyclohexene carboxaldehyde: an allergen with a prevalence of 14% in the general population in Europe 1
- p-Phenylenediamine (PPD): an allergen with a prevalence of 1% in the general population in Europe 1
Additional Considerations
Other allergens, such as chromate, epoxy resin, and Compositae, can also cause persistent dermatitis, particularly if not avoided 1. In children, common allergens include nickel, topical antibiotics, preservative chemicals, fragrances, and rubber accelerators 1. In the context of food-associated systemic contact dermatitis, metals such as nickel, cobalt, and chromium, as well as fragrances like Balsam of Peru, can play a significant role 1.
From the Research
Common Contact Allergens
The most common contact allergens can be categorized into several groups, including:
- Fragrances
- Preservatives
- Excipients
- Rubber chemicals
- Textile dyes
- Topical medications
- Metals and other biomedical device components 2
Specific Allergens
Some specific allergens that are commonly associated with contact dermatitis include:
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Fragrance mix I
- Balsam of Peru
- Quaternium-15
- Paraphenylenediamine
- Nickel
- Cobalt
- p-phenylenediamine (PPD) 3, 4, 5
Allergens by Product
Certain products are more likely to contain specific allergens, such as:
- Soaps: methylisothiazolinone, fragrance mix I
- Hair care products: paraphenylenediamine, fragrance mix I
- Rubber gloves: rubber accelerators
- Textile dyes: disperse dyes, acid dyes 3, 6
Patch Test Results
Patch test results have shown that the most common allergens vary by population and location, but some of the most frequently positive allergens include:
- Nickel sulfate
- Myroxilon pereirae (balsam of Peru)
- Fragrance mix I
- Quaternium-15
- Neomycin
- Bacitracin
- Formaldehyde
- Cobalt chloride 5