Allergic contact dermatitis due to vitamin K1contained in a cosmetic cream

An emerging epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis due to phytonadione epoxide (oxidised vitamin K1)

BACKGROUND

Reports of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to phytonadione epoxide (PE) in cosmetics suggest that PE is as powerful a sensitiser as its parent compound phytonadione.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a case series of ACD to PE in Spain.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 20 patients with ACD to cosmetics containing PE diagnosed across Spain between January 2019 and June 2023.

RESULTS

All 20 patients developed patch test (PT) or repeated open application test (ROAT) reactions to cosmetics containing PE. All involved women with eyelid eczema. PT or ROAT with PE preparations were positive in 17/20 (85%). PE at 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% in pet. was patch-tested in 8/17, 14/17, 11/17 and 8/17 patients; being positive in 6/8 (75%), 13/14 (92.85%), 11/11 (100%) and 8/8 (100%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Regulators should, not only ban the specific dangerous cosmetic ingredients, but also consider to ban or keep under close surveillance those closely related products or derivatives that might potentially cause similar harmful effects. PTs with PE are suggested to be performed at a 5% concentration in pet. Higher concentrations (10% pet.) should be tested whenever PTs with 5% pet. PE are negative.

Allergic contact dermatitis from vitamins: A systematic review

Background and Aims

Vitamins are bioactive compounds naturally found in many different types of food and required by the human body for many biological functions and enzymatic activities. Due to their antioxidant properties, certain vitamin derivatives have been synthesized for inclusion in many cosmetics, thus leading to an increasing incidence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) cases. Therefore, the present review may be helpful to provide an insight into the sensitizing role of at least certain vitamins and may also offer possible patch test alternatives for definitive diagnosis.

Methods

This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature search regarding ACD cases to vitamins was performed using the Medline, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases from January 1940 up to June 2021.

Results

A total of 4494 articles matched the keywords used for the researched. Records removed before screening included 15 duplicate articles and 3429 not eligible articles (e.g., not written in English, studies on animals, not relevant to the topic). A total of 1050 articles underwent the screening phase and 258 were therefore excluded as they were not primary studies. Subsequentially, 792 articles were considered eligible for the review and 688 of them were finally excluded as they did not report the outcome of interest. Therefore, 104 articles were definitely included in the present review.

Conclusion

ACD to vitamins is still probably an underestimated issue in cosmetology, as many vitamins are considered "natural" and therefore "safe" ingredients. On the contrary, according to current literature, almost all vitamins contained in topical products are able to induce allergic reactions, with the exception of vitamin B2 and vitamin B9. Patch tests are not standardized, thus leading to difficulties in diagnosis.

Vitamin K1-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules: physicochemical characterization and in vitro skin permeation

BACKGROUND

The incorporation of substances in nanocarriers can modulate and/or manage their delivery profiles (immediate or sustained) and permeation through skin. Consequently, drug nanencapsulation intended for topical treatment can reduce the systemic absorption of the substance.

OBJECTIVE

To obtain and characterize vitamin K1-loaded lipid core nanocapsules as well as to determine whether the nanoencapsulation influences the skin permeation of this vitamin.

METHODS

The skin permeation study was performed by means of Franz-type diffusion cells followed by the tape stripping and retention techniques. The vitamin K1-loaded lipid core nanocapsules were obtained by the preformed polymer precipitation method and the particles were characterized.

RESULTS

The nanocapsules presented average diameter of 211 ± 2 nm, pH of 5.7 ± 0.3, zeta potential of -14.9 ± 0.6 mV and drug content of 10.2 mg/mL (102.1%). The physical stability of the nanocapsule suspension was verified using multiple light backscattering analysis. The amount of vitamin K1 in the dermis after 8 h of drug permeation was higher when the nanocapsules were applied compared to the control. Moreover, retention in the outermost skin layer and a decrease in the skin permeation to the receptor compartment due to the nanoencapsulation were observed.

CONCLUSION

Thus, nanoencapsulation can lead to the selective permeation of vitamin K1 through the skin.