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1814100 
Journal Article 
Positive Patch Test to Cocamidopropyl Betaine in a Hairdresser 
Su L-H; Sun C-C 
1998 
Yes 
Contact Dermatitis
ISSN: 0105-1873
EISSN: 1600-0536 
NIOSH/00241515 
38 
3 
168-169 
A case of apparent sensitization to cocamidopropyl-betaine (CAPB) in a hairdresser was described. A 47 year (yr) old woman with a 4yr history of itchy erythema on her hands was examined. She had been a hairdresser for 30yr. Physical examination revealed erythematous irregularly shaped lichenfied plaques over the extensor aspects of the fingers and flexor aspect of the right wrist. She was patch tested with the European standard allergen series, a hairdressing series, and 5 and 1% aqueous preparations of shampoos and 5% aqueous preparations of hair dyes she used at work. She reacted positively to para-phenylenediamine-dihydrochloride (PPD), quinoline (91225), colophony, and 3-aminophenol (591275) after 1 day and to these plus benzocaine, CAPB, and her hair dye and shampoo preparations after 4 days. The authors conclude that multiple positive patch test reactions in contact dermatoses associated with hairdressing are not uncommon. Because of this and without having any knowledge as to the source of CAPB sensitization in this patient, the importance of CAPB to the etiology of the patient's dermatitis cannot be determined. CAPB dermatitis is, however, a relatively rare finding. 
DCN-241940; Surfactants; Contact dermatitis; Hairdressers; Case studies; Patch tests; Allergic dermatitis; Occupational exposure