Patch tests with commercial hair dye products in patients with allergic contact dermatitis to para-phenylenediamine.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hair dye is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. The main allergen has been identified as para-phenylenediamine. To prevent the recurrence of contact dermatitis to para-phenylenediamine, patients should discontinue the use of para-phenylenediamine-containing hair dye products. However, many patients are unable to discontinue their use for cosmetic or social reasons. Sometimes, they continue to have symptoms even after switching to so-called "less allergenic" hair dyes.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the safety of 15 commercially available hair dye products in patients with allergic contact dermatitis due to para-phenylenediamine.

METHODS:

We performed patch tests using 15 hair dyes that were advertised as "hypoallergenic," "no para-phenylenediamine" and "non-allergenic" products in the market.

RESULTS:

Twenty three patients completed the study and 20 (87.0%) patients had a positive patch test reaction to at least one product. While four (26.7%) hair dye products contained para-phenylenediamine, 10 (66.7%) out of 15 contained m- aminophenol and 7 (46.7%) contained toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate. Only one product did not elicit a positive reaction in any patient.

LIMITATIONS:

Small sample size and possibility of false-positive reactions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Dermatologists should educate patients with allergic contact dermatitis to para-phenylenediamine about the importance of performing sensitivity testing prior to the actual use of any hair dye product, irrespective of how it is advertised or labelled.

• Authors: Hyun-Joo Lee, Won-Jeong Kim, Jun-Young Kim, Hoon-Soo Kim, Byung-Soo Kim, Moon-Bum Kim, Hyun-Chang Ko
• Journal: Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol) 2016 Nov-Dec Vol. 82 Issue 6 Pg. 645-650 ISSN: 0973-3922 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27451929 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Coloring Agents
• Hair Dyes
• Phenylenediamines
• 4-phenylenediamine

Topics

• Aged
• Coloring Agents (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Female
• Hair Dyes (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patch Tests (methods)
• Phenylenediamines (adverse effects)
• Republic of Korea (epidemiology)