EDEMATOUS SWELLING OF THE EYELIDS DUE TO CONTACT ALLERGY

Cosmetics and ophthalmological topical preparations are the main cause s of allergic contact eczema about the eye. In most cases, clinical si gns are conjunctival injection, blepharitis, periorbital dermatitis an d edema of lids, often combined with itching. Pure edematous swelling of the eyelids should not immediately be blamed on a contact allergy, but sufficiently evaluated to exclude a benign or malignant process of the eyelids, orbita, lacrimal duct and paranasal sinus. We present a patient with pure edematous swelling of the eyelids due to a contact a llergy by the sympathicomimetic phenylephrine hydrochloride,an uncommo n allergen.