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Increasing frequency of allergic contact dermatitis to isoeugenol

In 1998 the concentration of isoeugenol was decreased from 0.2% to 0.02% in cosmetic products in order to decrease the frequency of allergic reactions. A retrospective analysis of 3636 subjects patch tested for isoeugenol over 5 years (2001-2005) was conducted. The incidence of isoeugenol positivity during 2001-2005 was 2.95%, 1.91%, 2.11%, 3.12% and 3.46%, respectively. The ascending trend was significant (p=0.0182). The increasing trend may be due to allergen substitution with eugenol derivatives or ones which hydrolyse to eugenol (White, J.M.L. et al. Br J Dermatol 2007, 157(3): 580-582).