4-Aminobenzoic Acid
What is it?
PABA (4-Aminobenzoic Acid) is found primarily in sunscreens creams, lotions, sprays and sticks.
How can I avoid it?
You may be allergic or photoallergic to PABA. If photoallergic, you may not react to PABA alone, but only with sun exposure. In either case contact with this agent and with related chemicals or PABA derivatives should be avoided. This includes padimate A (amyl dimethyl PABA), padimate O (octyl dimethyl PABA) and glycerol PABA. To avoid these chemicals, you must read labels of all sun-protective agents and the other products previously listed. Agents with oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, cinnamates, dibenzoylmathane, or salicylates may be substituted. Many such “PABA free” products are available. In addition, you must make all your health care providers aware that a reaction to some medications including thiazide diuretics, sulfonylurea antidiabetic agents, p-Aminosalicylic acid, procainamide (procaine), and benzocaine may develop. Allergic individuals should be told that they may react to the p-Phenylenediamine present in permanent hair dyes.
Uses:
- Azo dyes
- Brewer’s yeast
- Medications
- Local anesthetics (esters)
- Oral vitamin supplements
- Vitamin B complex
- Antirickettsial
- Folic acid
- Sunscreening agent in
- Cosmetics
- Hair care products
- Lipsticks and lip balms
- Moisturizers
- Nail polish
- Shampoos
- Sunscreens
- Used in laboratories as sulfonamide antogonist
Other names for PABA (4-Aminobenzoic Acid):
- 4-Aminobenzoic Acid
- Amben
- Aminobenzoic acid
- Anticanite vitamin
- Anti-chromotrichia factor
- PAB
- P-Aminobenzoic acid
- Papcidium
- Para-aminobenzoic acid
- Paraminol
- Vitamin Bx•Vitamin H
- Chromotrichia factor
- Sunbrella
- Bacterial Vitamin H
- gamma-aminobenzoic acid
- 1-amino-4-carboxybenzene
- anticanitic vitaminbacterial vitamin h1
- p-carboxyaniline
- p-carboxyphenylamine
- Pabanol
- Paranate
- trichromogenic factor
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Azo dyes
- Benocain (p-Amino compounds)
- Parabens
- Paraphenylenediamine
- Procaine
- Sulfonamides
