title: Periorbital contact sensitization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify frequency and pattern of contact sensitization among patients with periorbital dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional retrospective investigation of 1247 patients referred for patch testing over a 17-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for patients undergoing patch testing to the standard and customized trays between January 1990 and December 2006 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Contact Dermatitis Clinic. Our study group consisted of 266 patients affected by periorbital dermatitis. Findings were compared to 981 referrals without periorbital dermatitis (controls). Patch test results were read after 48 and 72 hours and classified as allergic, questionable, irritant, or negative. Statistical analyses were carried out by using chi(2) test and Fisher exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  General epidemiologic data among periorbital dermatitis patients showed significant predominance of female gender (87.6%) and of individuals aged 40 to 59 years (45.9%). Nickel (16.5%) and fragrance mix (13.2%) were the top-ranking sensitizers. Ingredients of topical ophthalmologic products did not result in significant sensitization. Comparison of the periorbital dermatitis group to the controls did not reveal significant differences in sensitization pattern. Patch testing confirmed the likelihood of allergic contact dermatitis in 50.8% of the periorbital dermatitis patients tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergic contact dermatitis is a common cause of periorbital dermatitis. Patch testing should be considered in all patients with periorbital dermatitis when suspecting contact allergy in order to identify and avoid offending allergens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Lilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Landeck
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Schalock
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Baden
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions