Transient and persistent photosensitivity due to musk ambrette. Clinical and photobiological studies

Abstract

The cosmetic preparation musk ambrette caused contact photosensitivity in 5 patients. One patient showed transient light reactivity and 4 showed persistent light reactivity. Tests with artificial radiation were performed on normal skin without musk ambrette being added. All patients reacted abnormally to UV-B and 3 to UV-A. In particular the patient with transient light reactivity showed abnormal responses to UV-A. The patients were not always aware of the role of sunlight in the development of their eruption and the clinical features were not always typical of a photodermatitis.