[Contact allergy to cetylstearylalcohol (Lanette O) as a therapeutic problem in stasis dermatitis and leg ulcer].

Contact allergic investigations in 2064 patch tested patients (1977-1981) showed that 3,9% had a contact allergy from cetylstearylalcohol (Lanette O). 453 of these patients suffered from stasis dermatitis and leg ulcer. 15% of these 453 patients had a contact allergy from Lanette O, whereas 85% of all patients with Lanette allergy suffered from stasis dermatitis with and without leg ulcers. A closer association between this contact-allergy and these diseases is therefore indicated. Further problems arise due to the presence of cetylstearylalcohol in numerous topical preparations (examples are given) and the often incomplete declaration of the bases and ingredients.