Background: Periorbital dermatitis is common and frequently recalcitrant to treatment. Due to the exposed and visible location, patients often suffer severely from periorbital dermatitis.
Objectives: To determine the frequency and causes of periorbital dermatitis including contact sensitizers.
Methods: We investigated two cohorts of patients (Erlangen and IVDK without Erlangen) between 1999 and 2004.
Results: The differences between the two cohorts with periorbital dermatitis [Department of Dermatology at University Hospital Erlangen (n = 88) and the German Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) collective (n = 2035)] were determined by the MOAHLFA (male, occupational dermatosis, atopic eczema, hand dermatitis, leg dermatitis, facial dermatitis, age > or = 40 years) index. Statistically significant factors for periocular eczema are female sex, atopic skin diathesis and age > or = 40 years. In both cohorts allergic contact dermatitis was the main cause of periorbital eczema (Erlangen 44.3%, IVDK 31.6%), followed by periorbital atopic dermatitis (Erlangen 25%, IVDK 14.1%), airborne dermatitis (Erlangen 10.2%, IVDK 1.9%), irritant contact dermatitis (Erlangen 9.1%, IVDK 7.6%), periorbital rosacea (Erlangen 4.5%, IVDK 2.2%), allergic conjunctivitis (Erlangen 2.3%, IVDK included in 'others') and psoriasis (Erlangen 2.3%, IVDK included in 'others'). The most relevant allergens/allergen sources inducing periorbital eczema were consumers' products (facial cream, eye shadow and ophthalmic therapeutics) (31%), fragrance mix (19%), balsam of Peru (10%), thiomersal (10%) and neomycin sulphate (8%); 12.5% of patients with allergic periocular dermatitis could be exclusively elucidated by testing patients' own products.
Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the multiplicity of causes for periorbital eczematous disease manifestation, which requires patch testing of standard trays as well as consumers' products to elucidate the relevant contact sensitization.