Evaluation of customers'' complaints about sunscreen cosmetics sold by the Swedish pharmaceutical company

Sweden's pharmacies hold more than a 1/3 of the country's market for sunscreen cosmetics (sunscreens). Customers complaining of skin problems associated with the use of sunscreens obtained from the pharmacies were offered dermatological investigation and tests with standard allergens and sunscreens. 27 of 58 complaining customers were fully investigated, and another 8 partly tested. 2 disease entities, a burning sensation and erythema for one or a few days, and dermatitis with scaling lasting for up to 3 weeks, were about equally common. Contact or photocontact allergy to 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone caused severe contact dermatitis in 3 individuals.