Contact Photosensitivity Dermatitis From Sun-protective Agent

Abstract

A popular commercial sunscreening agent containing the ultraviolet-absorbing chemical glycerylp-aminobenzoate was found to be a photosensitizer having produced a severe dermatitis in a patient who applied it prior to sun exposure. Three possible mechanisms of action are briefly discussed: photoallergy, phototoxicity, and photoaugmentation. The agent was shown to be an ordinary contact allergen as well as a photosensitizer.