Allergic contact dermatitis to sunscreens

A 47-year-old woman working in a film laboratory for several years developed a lichenoid eruption on the forearms and sides of the neck. She had contact with many photographic chemicals, namely colour developers from Kodak (CD3). Some months after TSS (Agfa) was introduced in the laboratory, a lichen planus-like eruption appeared, first on the back of the hands and forearms, later on the sides and V of the neck. She blamed TSS as the cause, reporting increased itching and new lesions when she was in contact with it. 6 months later, she had several pigmented macules on the forearms and hands, and multiple lichenoid papules on the neck and a few on the forearms. She had no lesions on the wrists, lumbar area, mucosae or nails. A biopsy from the neck showed lichen planus. Patch tests with the standard and photographic chemicals series (Trolab), and with TSS 1% pet. were negative. The patient remained in the same occupation and was seen 3 months later. There was no change of the cutaneous lesions, and no lichenoid papules at the patch test sites.