SONOMA, CALIF. – Skin reactions to components of baby wipes, cosmetics, leather, and even artificial hips or knees top an informal list of dermatoses caused by newer allergens for dermatologists to consider, Dr. Joseph F. Fowler Jr. said at the annual Coastal Dermatology Symposium.
He described some of these new allergens in a video interview at the symposium, jointly presented by the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and the Global Academy for Medical Education.
A relatively new preservative found in baby wipes and hair and skin products is one of the main culprits – methylisothiazolinone, said Dr. Fowler of the university. Bee glue (also called propolis) is another problematic material, found in some lip moisturizers and other personal-care products.
Shellac (the same shellac that’s often used as a furniture coating) in mascara and nail products can cause skin reactions, too.
Leather can cause dermatoses because of the chromium used in leather processing, but recent reports also point to cobalt, another product used in leather processing, as an allergen source, Dr. Fowler said.
Also, in rare cases, components of orthopedic implants are causing allergic reactions that sometimes necessitate removal of the implant, he added.
Dr. Fowler reported financial associations with Bayer, Valeant, Amgen, AbbVie, Allergan, Celgene, Galderma, Novartis, and Lilly. This publication and the Global Academy for Medical Education are owned by the same parent company.
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