Laboratory assistant's occupational allergic airborne contact dermatitis from nickel presenting as rosacea

A male laboratory assistant working in a metallurgical laboratory with airb orne exposure to nickel dust developed highly pruritic, rosacea-like sympto ms. The symptoms cleared within eight days without treatment when the patie nt was off work. Patch testing confirmed nickel allergy. Based on the patie nt's work and clinical history it was evident that occupational exposure to airborne nickel induced the highly abnormal rosacea-like symptoms, not pre viously reported from nickel.