Allergic contact dermatitis of the face from contact with nickel and ammoniated mercury in spectacle frames and skin-lightening creams.
A total of 507 (M 121, F 386) cases of facial dermatitis were investigated, of whom 308 (M 49, F 259) had eczema confined to the face. The prevalence of positive patch tests was 45% (229/507). Among all the patients, the 2 most frequent allergens were nickel (15.2%) and ammoniated mercury (6.1%), with the incidence of nickel sensitivity in men (20%) being greater than in women (13.7%). 56% of the nickel-positive cases were caused by metal spectacle frames. Taiwan's high number of spectacle-wearers, its subtropical climate and the characteristic oriental facial structure are possibly major contributing factors. Most ammoniated mercury (AM)-sensitive cases resulted from cosmetics. Skin-lightening creams are widely used in Taiwan, but their content is poorly controlled. According to consumer reports, 14.9% (48/322) had applied AM-containing cosmetics. Of all the cosmetics tested for mercury, 2.2% (60/2711) were positive.
Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
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D000641:Ammonia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009823:Ointment Bases / Q000009:adverse effects
D003358:Cosmetics; D009823:Ointment Bases; C029938:nickel sulfate; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D000641:Ammonia; D009532:Nickel; C028431:mercuric chloride, ammoniated