Patch testing in allergic contact dermatitis: is it useful to perform the cosmetic series in addition to the European standard series?

Abstract

Patch testing with cosmetic series in addition to the European standard series increased the capability to detect the relevant allergen/allergens, particularly in patients with a suspicion of cosmetic allergy. However, it is not practical and cost-effective to test those patients routinely with all 45 allergens in the cosmetic series. As the European baseline series which includes methyldibromo glutaronitrile is now widely used as the guideline minimum set of allergens for routine diagnostic patch test investigations, we additionally recommend Euxyl K400 and isopropyl myristate as the candidates for patch testing.