Allergic reactions linked to wet wipes

A rise in allergic skin reactions has been linked to a preservative found in some wet wipes.

National figures show 15 per cent of Australians patch tested this year have reacted to methylisothiazolinone, a preservative found in many wet wipes or baby wipes, up from about four per cent in 2005.

The head of dermatology at Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centres Lynne Gordon says as well as an increase in cases, some reactions are severe with itching and rashes lasting up to two weeks after contact with the chemical has been stopped.