The frequency of contact sensitivity to 28 selective additives of topical dermatologic medications and cosmetics in a group of nine hundred patients with chronic eczema (289 males, 611 females, mean age 43,6 years) was evaluated in relation to eczema localization. In patients with face and neck eczema (n 350) lanolin alcohols (4,3%), bronopol (3,7%), dibromdicyanobutan/phenoxyethanol (2,9%), imidazolidinylurea (2,9%), chlorhexidinegluconate (2,3%), diazolidinylurea (2,3%) and Kathon CG (2%) were the most important contact allergens. In eczema localized on hands and forearms (n 504) the most important allergen was formaldehyde (3,8%), lanolin alcohols (3%), dibromdicyanobutan/phenoxyethanol (2,8%), bronopol, chloracetamide and Kathon CG (2,4%), and diazolidinylurea (2,2%). In eczema localized on feet and legs (n 188) the sensitization to lanolin alcohols (12,8%), paraben mix (4,8%), formaldehyde (2,7%) and chloracetamide (2,1%) was detected. (In some patients more areas were involved.) In the group of women with face eczema the percentage of allergic reactions was statistically significant-ly higher (p<0,05) in comparison with the group of men (Fischer exact test).

        Key words: : contact sensitivity - dermatologic topical medications - cosmetics - adjuvants - preservati-ves - antioxidants