Background: The diagnosis of photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) is confirmed by photopatch testing (PPT). In Spain, the latest recommendation on which allergens to test in PPT dates from 1995.
Methods: In the last 4 years, we studied 455 patients with epicutaneous tests and performed PPT on 33 of those patients (7.3%).
Results: The most prevalent allergens in PPT were as follows: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (46%), fragrances (21%), and solar filters (18%).
Discussion: In our country, the most common photoallergens continue to be NSAIDs (ketoprofen). The increasingly common use of sunscreens has led to a growing involvement of solar filters in PACD, which can be also contained in other cosmetics. In our experience, PACD due to fragrances is nonetheless at least similar in frequency.
Conclusions: The PPT battery must adapt to the prescription, use, and exposure habits of each country. We propose a diagnostic model to guide which allergens to test in PPT, which in our experience should also include fragrances.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory drugs; fragrances; photoallergy; photopatch test; solar filters; standard battery.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.