The epidemiology of contact photoallergy in our population is not well known at present. Therefore the basic aim of our project was to establish the scale of diagnostic methods in the assessment of skin photosensitivity state by use of photo-patch tests.
We tested some substances (TROLAB set provided by Hermal comp.). The results of study conducted with sunscreens showed that propandione, cinnamates and oxybenzone were the most frequent photoallergenic substances.
These data suggest that some photosensitive troubles could be caused by a skin response against photoactivated sunscreen components. Thus the physical (nonphotoallergenic) forms of sunscreens are recommended in essentially sensitive people, especially when used from childhood.