'Allergyapp' - A novel app(lication) to detect contact allergens in cosmetic products

摘要

Many Europeans are contact-sensitized (have contact allergy) to common chemicals found in consumer products. Among many others, these include fragrances and preservatives used in, for example, body lotions, deodorants, soaps, and shampoos. Patch testing is a commonly used method to determine whether a specific substance causes contact allergy (allergen), thereby enabling patients to avoid future skin contact with the culprit allergen(s) and ultimately avoid allergic contact dermatitis. Problems in avoiding certain allergens might arise because of challenging ingredient lists (labels) on cosmetic products. Not only can these be very comprehensive, but it can also be very difficult to read and pronounce the often long and complex chemical names. Indeed, a study showed that 46% of patients found it difficult to read the ingredients' International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names (the use of INCI names is required by EU law) on cosmetic products, and this is therefore a significant obstacle to avoiding allergens (1). Patients with a low educational background appeared to have the most difficulties in reading ingredient lists (2).