Berloque Dermatitis - Symptoms & Treatment

Berloque Dermatitis is a skin condition in which patients develop a brownish to reddish discoloration of the neck and sometimes the arms due to applying perfume or cologne to the skin. In the case of berloque dermatitis, the phototoxic reaction is induced by the effect of long-wave ultraviolet (UVA) radiation on bergapten, or 5-methoxypsoralens, a furocoumarin now known to be the only photoactive component of bergamot oil. It can be defined as a disorser in which a patients develop a brownish to reddish discoloration of the neck and sometimes the arms due to applying perfume or cologne to the skin. Berloque dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by a deep brown pigmentation, with no preceding redness in the areas where it appears. The disease can be attributed to the application of cologne or perfume to the skin. In some cases the skin first turns red and then brownish. The most common cause of Berloque dermatitis is the essential oil of bergamot. This oil is made from the peel of a specific orange that grows in the South of France and in Italy. Berloque dermatitis obtains its name from the German word berlock or the French berloque , meaning trinket or charm. The condition can remain for years and in some cases it may be even permanent.

Berloque dermatitis usually occurs in females who wear fragrances containing oil of bergamot. Males who wear fragrances or fragrance-containing products, such as aftershave lotion, also may develop berloque dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis to a plant is not contagious and the blister fluid does not spread the rash. The rash appears between four hours and 10 days after exposure to the plant, depending on individual sensitivity and the amount of contact. Because of where perfume and cosmetics are applied on the body, the forehead, sides of face and neck, chest, arms and wrists, and the inside of the elbows are the most common places that Berloque dermatitis presents itself. Sometimes the skin first turns red before changing to a brownish color. This condition can persist for years or even be permanent. In a classic case of berloque dermatitis brown hyperpigmentation with or without any preceding erythema is seen in a drop like configuration . As for treatment, patients are advised to stop using the offending cosmetic or perfume and to be on the lookout for other products containing oil of bergamot.

Causes of Berloque dermatitis

The common causes and risk factor's of Berloque dermatitis include the following:

• The exect causes of Berloque dermatitis is unknown.
• Bergapten, or 5-methoxypsoralen, is the photoactive component of bergamot oil from the bergamot lime ( C bergamia ), which is a popular ingredient in perfumes and fragrances and can cause Berloque Dermatitis.
• Cosmetic and toiletries like aftershave lotions, sunscreen lotion, moisturizers are also can causes Berloque Dermatitis.
• Using non-moisturizing soap.

Symptoms of Berloque dermatitis

Some symptoms related to Berloque dermatitis are as follows:

• Developing of a brownish to reddish discoloration of the neck.
• Headache.
• Sometimes nausea and vomiting.
• Bronchospasm and syncop.
• Sometimes the skin first turns red before changing to a brownish color.

Treatment of Berloque dermatitis

Here is list of the methods for treating Berloque dermatitis:

• Patients with berloque dermatitis should use a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to help keep the condition from worsening. Also, perfume should no longer be applied to areas of the skin that get sun exposure.
• Cosmetics such as Dermablend and Covermark.
• Tretinoin (Retin-A) applied to the involved areas daily will improve this condition.
• At present laser treatment is not available but it can be an effective treatment in the future.
• Jessner's peels will improve Berloque dermatitis.
• If the patient is in pain simple analgesic can be given.

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