Contact hypersensitivity to iron.

This article focuses on contact hypersensitivity to iron. 623 patients with suspected hypersensitivity to metals with a series of 21 metal compounds, including ferric chloride and ferrous sulfate. Those positive to iron were further tested, substances being prepared on the basis of molarity and applied in Finn Chambers on Scanpor tape. The reaction to iron salts observed were only moderate in both subjects, mostly erythema and slight infiltration. A reaction to the skin to iron oxides, used as pigments in mascara, tattooing inks and paints, has been shown to be allergic by patch testing.