From April 2001 to September 2003, 900 patients with chronic eczema (289 men, 611 women, average age 43.6 years) were evaluated by patch tests for contact hypersensitivity to selected adjuvant substances in dermatological topical remedies and cosmetics. Atopic eczema was diagnosed in 337 of patients. From antimicrobials used as conservants the most common allergen was thiomersal in 12.4%, then phenylhydrargyrumacetate in 5.4%, formaldehyde and dibromiumdicyanobutane/ phenoxyethanol (Euxyl K 400) in 2.5%, bronopol in 2.2%, chloracetamide in 2.1%, chlorhexidine in 2.0%, Kathon CG in 1.9%, diazolidinylurea in 1.8%, paraben and imidazolidinylurea in 1.6%, glutaraldehyde in 0.9%, Quarternium-15 in 0.7%, dichlorophen in 0.6%, triclosan in 0.5%, DMDM-hydantion and chlorocresol in 0.4%, phenoxyethanol in 0.3%, benzalconiumchloride, chloroquinaldol and ascorbic acid in 0.2% of patients, from antioxidants there were dodecylgallate in 1.7%, butylhydroxyanisole in 0.8%, propylgallate in 0.6%, butylhydroxytoluen in 0.2% of patients and from another substances there were alcoholes adipis lanae in 5.3%, trolamine in 1.0% and propylenglycole in 0.3% of patients. Sources of sensibilisation were pharmaceutical products in 44.7%, cosmetics in 31.2%, industry in 7.8%health care in 2.2%, source remained unindetified in 13.3%.Clinical relevance was 32.5%. Complete information about composition of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics in package leaflets seems fundamental, especially for patients with eczema. Results of this study can serve as a feed-back information for producers of both, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

        Key words: contact hypersensitivity - dermatological topical products - cosmetics - adjuvants - conservants - antioxidants