Contact allergy to sunscreen chemicals in photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome (PD/AR) and polymorphic light eruption (PLE).

From 1989-1991, 214 patients (45 PD/AR, 54 PLE, 115 controls) were patch tested to a sunscreen series containing 9 constituents. 16/214 (7.5%) patients reacted to one or more sunscreens, with allergy being significantly more common in PD/AR patients (10/45 versus 2/54 PLE and 4/115 contact dermatitis clinic controls). The benzophenone group of sunscreens (mexenone, oxybenzone) were the most frequent sensitizers, accounting for 8 of the 27 positive patch tests observed. Clinicians should consider contact allergy to sunscreens in PD/AR patients as an explanation for exposed-site dermatitis episodes.