Metal allergy in eyelid dermatitis and the evaluation of metal contents in eye shadows.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis is a common diagnosis in eyelid dermatitis. Sensitization to metals is prevalent in eyelid dermatitis and colour cosmetic products are frequently suspected as the source of metal exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contact allergens for eyelid dermatitis and to assess metal contents in eye shadow products.

METHODS: Data were collected in the department of dermatology of Ewha Womans University hospital from December 1998 to February 2014. A total of 983 patients were patch tested during the period and 67 patients had eyelid dermatitis among them. To examine metal elements in colour cosmetic products for eyes, randomly selected 10 eye shadows were analysed.

RESULTS: Frequent allergens were metals, thiomersal and phenylenediamine in patients with eyelid dermatitis. The sensitization rates of individual allergens were not significantly different between patients with eyelid dermatitis and without eyelid dermatitis. All 10 eye shadow products contained more than 5 ppm of at least one element, nickel, cobalt or chromium.

CONCLUSION: Metals were top-rank allergens in patients with eyelid dermatitis as in the remaining patients patch tested. The eye shadow products contained significant amount of nickel, cobalt or chromium to elicit allergic reactions.