Contact sensitization to benzoyl peroxide

Abstract
Contact allergy to a 5% benzoyl peroxide (BP) gel was studied by patch testing in 222 patients. Positive allergic reactions to BP were found in 3.1% of cases in a general clinical population (94 patients); 5.8% of 69 patients with eczematous dermatoses were BP-sensitized. In a group of acne vulgaris patients having used a commercial 5% or 10% BP gel for a period of 12 d to 3 1/2 yr (mean: 10.7 mo.), positive allergic reactions were found in 3 cases (5.1%).