title: Periorbital dermatitis in 4779 patients - patch test results during a 10-year period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The thinness of the periorbital skin may facilitate allergen penetration, making this area particularly susceptible to sensitization.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the cross-sectional study, data were collected by the 57 participating centres of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology. A total of 101 403 patients patch tested between January 2001 and December 2010 were included. Of these, 4779 patients suffered from periorbital dermatitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two major subgroups with different general epidemiological data and sensitization to specific allergens have to be considered: (i) young females with increased rates of skin atopy and allergies, particularly from cosmetic and skin care products; and (ii) older subjects with allergy to topical medications. The prevalence of sensitization to ophthalmic allergens is generally less than that to environmental allergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergic contact dermatitis is a leading cause of periorbital dermatitis. Patch testing should be considered in all patients with periorbital dermatitis when contact allergy is suspected, in order to identify and avoid offending allergens.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, 49090, Germany.
authors: Lilla
authors: L
authors: Landeck
authors: Swen M
authors: SM
authors: John
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Geier
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009915:Orbit; D010328:Patch Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003358:Cosmetics; D007509:Irritants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel
keywords: allergy; antibiotics; patch testing; periorbital dermatitis; preservatives