Isoeugenol is an important contact allergen: can it be safely replaced with isoeugenyl acetate?

• Published in: Contact dermatitis Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 272 - 275
• Main Authors: White, I. R., Johansen, J. D., Arnau, E. Giménez, Lepoittevin, J.-P., Rastogi, S., Bruze, M., Andersen, K. E., Frosch, P. J., Goossens, A., Menné, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.1999; Blackwell
• Subjects: allergen substitution; Allergens; Allergic diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - etiology; Domestic and cosmetic products toxicology; Eugenol - adverse effects; Eugenol - analogs & derivatives; fragrance allergy; Humans; Immunopathology; isoeugenol; isoeugenyl acetate; Medical sciences; Patch Tests; Perfume - adverse effects; Perfume - chemistry; product labelling; Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies; Toxicology; Europe; Cosmetic; Human; Immunopathology; Allergy; Skin disease; Contact dermatitis; Toxicity; Perfume; Harmlessness; Substitute; Recommendation; Allergen
• ISSN: 0105-1873; 1600-0536
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1999.tb06160.x

The prevalence of contact allergy to the fragrance mix in individuals with eczema is up to 10%. Within the mix, isoeugenol (CAS 97–54–1) is an important individual allergen. Until May 1998, the IFRA (International Fragrance Assocation) guidelines suggested that isoeugenol could safely be used at a level of 0.2% in consumer products. In May 1998, IFRA recommended that isoeugenol should not be used at a level that exceeds 0.02% in consumer products, but did not provide guidance on allergen substitution. An alternative to isoeugenol, based on aroma and absence of guide‐lines on use, is isoeugenyl acetate (CAS 93–29–8). 155 consecutive subjects were patch tested to isoeugenyl acetate (1.2%, 0.4%, 0.13% eth.) and isoeugenol 1% pet. 6 (3.9%) had an allergic reaction to 1.2% isoeugenyl acetate at D4. The reactions to the other 2 dilutions tended to be graded. 8 individuals had at least a palpable erythema by D4 to isoeugenol 1% pet. The majority of individuals allergic to isoeugenol were also intolerant of isoeugenyl acetate. Effective labelling of fragrance substances on consumer products will facilitate monitoring of exposure.