Allergic contact dermatitis from TEA-Coco hydrolyzed protein

E. A. Emmett and R. C. Wright

A 21-year-old woman developed a severe dermatitis of the face after using a proprietary skin cleanser. Patch testing showed delayed hypersensitivity to TEA-Coco hydrolyzed protein (the triethanolamine salt of the condensation product of coconut fatty acids with a complex of polypeptides and amino acids derived from collagen), but not to other ingredients of the cleanser. Further patch testing revealed positive results with other condensates of fatty acids and protein hydrolysates.