Les chéilites allergiques : étude de 17 cas

Abstract

Allergic cheilitis is an inflammation of lips secondary to contact with an allergenic substance related to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. We conducted a prospective study from January 1995 to December 2008, and collected 26 cases of cheilitis. We included all patients with allergic cheilitis diagnosed on clinical signs and allergic tests and we excluded all atopic cheilitis, infectious ones or within a drug-induced dermatitis or autoimmune bullous disease. Average age was 33 years. A female predominance was noted (77%). Patch-testing standard battery (ICDRG) were realized for all patients and supplemented by personalized battery in six cases. They were positive in 17 cases (64%). Standard battery imputed products were nickel sulfate in nine cases (53%), chromium, carbamix, Peru balm, thiamesal, Kathon CG and phenyldiamine in one case each. Personalized patch-testing were positive in four cases to toothpaste and lipstick in two cases. In literature, most imputed are cosmetics with a percentage of 55.6%, followed by topical medications, food and metals. Lipstick is the most frequently responsible cosmetic, followed by toothpaste in 21% of cases, where as in our study, the product responsible at the forefront of allergic cheilitis is nickel in 53% of cases followed by toothpaste in 25% of cases.