Berloque Dermatitis is a common skin diseases. Its appear after individual has been exposed to certain essential oils in perfume and then to sunlight. Berloque Dermatitis is a skin condition in which patients develop a brownish to reddish discoloration of the neck and sometimes the arms due to applying perfume or cologne to the skin. Berloque dermatitis usually occurs in women, although it can occur in persons of any age who apply fragrances containing oil of bergamot. Berloque dermatitis obtains its name from the German word berlock or the French berloque, meaning trinket or charm. Rosenthal coined the term in 1925 to describe pendantlike streaks of pigmentation on the neck, face, arms, or trunk. He suspected they were due to fluid droplets, unaware that Freund in 1916 had described hyperpigmented macules due to sun exposure after the application of eau de cologne.

The phototoxic ingredient causing the pigmentation proved to be bergapten, a component of oil of bergamot, derived from the rind of Citrus bergamia, the bergamot lime. Several cases were reported in the 1950s and 1960s following increased use of perfumes containing oil of bergamot and the passion for sunbathing. Since the introduction of artificial oil of bergamot and the reduced use of the natural product in perfumes, berloque dermatitis has become rare.

Causes of Berloque Dermatitis

Perfumes and colognes contain oil of bergamot are the known causes of this disease. When this oil comes in contact with the skin and the skin is exposed to sunlight, the oil of bergamot causes the skin to discolor. With repeated exposures to sunlight, the discoloration becomes permanent.

Find common causes and risk factors of Berloque Dermatitis

• Bergapten, or 5-methoxypsoralen, is the photoactive component of bergamot oil from the bergamot lime ( C bergamia ), which is a popular ingredient in perfumes and fragrances.

Treatment for Berloque Dermatitis

Treatment may include:

• Laser treatment is very effective treatment.
• Cosmetics such as Dermablend and Covermark work well to cover the area so it is not as noticeable.
• Jessner’s peels will improve Berloque dermatitis.
• Use daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to help keep the condition from worsening.
• Perfume should no longer be applied to areas of the skin that get sun exposure.
• Tretinoin (Retin-A) applied to the involved areas daily will improve this condition.