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Background: An aqueous antiseptic containing "chlorhexidine digluconate/benzalkonium chloride/benzyl alcohol" (CBB) is widely used in France. The only previous documented study dealing with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to this antiseptic is one small case series in children. The French Vigilance Network for Dermatology and Allergy (REVIDAL‐GERDA) has collected many cases in the last few years. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and sensitization profiles of patients diagnosed with ACD to CBB. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with contact dermatitis to CBB and positive tests to CBB and/or at least one of its components. All patients had to be tested with all components of CBB. Results: A total of 102 patients (71 adults and 31 children) were included. The lesions were extensive in 63% of patients and 55% had delayed time to diagnosis. CBB patch tests were positive in 93.8% of cases. The allergen was identified in 97% of patients, mainly benzyl alcohol in adults (81.7%) and chlorhexidine digluconate in children (54.8%). About 32.4% of the patients were sensitized to several components. Conclusion: CBB is a cause of ACD at all ages. The components of the antiseptic should be tested. The sensitization profile seems to be different between adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Europe, contact photosensitivity to phenothiazines is well‐known, particularly in southern countries. Topical phenothiazines are widely used and sold over‐the‐counter (OTC) for the treatment of mosquito bites and pruritus in France. Objective: To report a series of cases with photodermatitis following use of topical phenothiazines. Method: A retrospective study of cases of contact dermatitis from phenothiazines seen in French photodermatology centers was performed. Results: In all, 14 patients with a diagnosis of contact dermatitis from phenothiazines were included. These patients developed eczema on the application sites, and in 13 the eruption spread to photodistributed sites. Topical products containing isothipendyl were the most common cause of photodermatitis. One patient had photoaggravated eczema due to promethazine cream. All patients stopped using topical phenothiazines and were treated successfully with topical corticosteroids. One patient relapsed and developed persistent light eruption. In all of the nine cases tested, photopatch testing to the topical phenothiazine used "as is" was positive. Isothipendyl, chlorproethazine, and the excipients were not tested. Photopatch tests to chlorpromazine and promethazine were positive in 8 of 12 and 7 of 13 tested, respectively. Conclusion: Use of isothipendyl and promethazine as OTC (or even prescribed) drugs needs to be limited due to severe reactions and sensitization to other phenothiazines that consequently will have to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]