CUTANEOUS REACTIONS FROM COSMETICS 177 of small, more or less firm flesh colored papules, developing in the axilla at the site of application, which slowly resolved after the antiperspirant was discontinued. Shelley and Arthur (6) have produced evidence that the granulomatous lesion develops as a consequence of a sensitization to zir- conium. Depilatories, as a group may occassionally produce some mild irritation but, on the whole, not too much trouble is seen with them. Perfumes. Considering the enormous number of perfumes and colognes that are sold, the incidence of sensitization is singularly small. This is all the more surprising when the complexity of these products is considered. Occasionally, a true allergic sensitization has been reported, but such, as I have already said, is infrequent. The only reaction that occurs at all commonly is a photosensitization, producing what is known as a Berlock dermatitis. This develops when perfumes containing oil of Bergamot are applied and the user then goes into the sun. The oil of Bergamot has the property of causing a local photosensitivity at the site of its application, so that these cells, when subsequently exposed to proper radiation, manu- facture pigment which is deposited locally. As a result, a dirty appearing pigmented streak is seen where the perfume trickled over the skin surface and where the sun subsequently reached. No harm or danger results form this, other than the unsightly appearance. Sunburn Preventives. Occasionally, true allergic sensitizations have been reported to some ingredient, and occasionally reactions have developed from the use of a sunburn preventive because of a prior sensitization to a product such as a sulfonamide which is cross-reactive with some ingredient in the sunburn preventive or with a breakdown product' of an ingredient in the preparation. I have the impression that this class of products is in a state of flux, so that what the future will hold with respect to the incidence and type of reactions is uncertain. Finally, considering the miscellaneous creams and lotions labeled for various special purposes, there is little to say about them from the point of view of reaction-producing propensities. None of them have any particu- lar predilection in this regard. The chief criticism that might be ventured is not really in the scope of this paper, but it is: Do any of them have any particular justification, from the point of view of effects they produce ? SUMMARY A brief review has been given of the skin reactions produced by the major categories of cosmetics. It is proper to say that cosmetics as a class are singularly free of reaction-producing propensities. Of the cosmetics in common use, the ones most likely to produce allergic reactions are (1) oxidative hair dyes, (2) lipsticks, (3) nail polish. Antiperspirants are possibly the cosmetics, on the other hand, most likely to produce mild

178 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS irritative reactions. When one considers the enormous numbers of cos- metics that are sold, it cannot be said that, as a group, there is any hazard from their use. In view of the fact that the majority of reactions from cosmetics arise because of the development of an allergic eczematous sensitization to some contained ingredient, the cosmetic manufacturer must select his ingredients with as low an inherent allergenicity as possible. Sufficient information exists today to guide him in this respect, but when this is done there will still be the uncharted genetic reef on which an occasional product will flounder. REFEKENCES (1) Rostenberg, A., Primary Irritant and Allergic Eczematous Reactions, At. M. At. Atrch. Dermatol., 75, 547 (1957). (2) Rostenberg, A., Predictive Procedures for Eczematous Hypersensitivity. At. M. At. Atrch. Ind. Health, 20, 181 (1959). (3) Rostenberg, A., The Allergic Dermatoses. •. Atto. Med. Atssoc., 165, 1118 (1957). (4) Rostenberg, A., The Sequence of Events in the Development of an Eczematous Sensitiza- tion, 5 t. Soc. Cosmetic Chemists, 6, 34 (1955). 1•\ 1• ß .1 •,r-1. • •xe•scn, •vinton, Nail Changes Due to New Base Coat. .4. M..4..,'irch. Dermatol., 80, 5230 (1959). (6) Shelley, Walter B., and Hurley, Harry .[., The Allergic Origin of Zirconium Deodorant Granulomas. Brit. •. Dermatol., 70, 75 (1958). CHICAGO CHAPTER NEWS THE FIRST MEETING of the year was held on January 12th and fea- tured Raymond E. Reed, vice president, Technical Operations, The Toni Company, as the speaker. Mr. Reed spoke on "The Role of the Cosmetic Scientist in the Protection of Public Health." On February 9th, John F. Thiard spoke on "Alcohol in Cosmetics." Mr. Thiard is Chief Technical Rulings and Services Section Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit in Chicago. He has been associated with the Treasury Department of the U.S. Government since 1934 with the exception of a three-year period as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Max Dressier discussed "What Can Be Patented" at the March 8th meeting. Mr. Dressier is a patent attorney with many years of experience. He studied chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and entered the United States Patent Office as an examiner in 1927. Mr. Dressier is a graduate of George Washington University and Washington College of Law and was admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia in 1930. For the past thirty years he has been engaged in the private practice of patent law since 1936 in Chicago, and has been actively engaged in patent and patent litigation in various fields including soaps, detergents, pharma- ceuticals, toilet goods and aerosol products.