Top 10 Causes of Contact Dermatitis

Have a red, sore itchy rash after wearing that new bracelet? It could result from allergic contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to something - jewelry, fragrance or other substances - with which you’ve had contact.

The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter lists the top 10 causes of contact dermatitis that were recently identified by Mayo Clinic researchers:

Nickel, commonly found on jewelry clasps or buttons

Gold, usually worn as jewelry

Balsam of Peru, a fragrance used in skin care products and perfume

Thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines


Neomycin sulfate, a topical antibiotic

Fragrance mix, which is comprised of eight of the most common flavorings found in various products

Formaldehyde, a preservative that can be found in paper products, paints, building materials, medications, household cleaners and fabric finishes

Cobalt chloride, a metal found in medical products, hair dye, antiperspirants, and in snaps, buttons and tools

Bacitracin, a topical antibiotic

Quaternium-15, a preservative found in skin care products and in industrial products such as paints, polishes and waxes

Skin allergy patch testing can confirm allergies to these substances.

Mayo Clinic

Provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: June 11, 2011
Last revised: by Jorge P. Ribeiro, MD