Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur

Contact allergy to olive oil is considered rare. There are 20 cases of cont act allergy to olive oil described, and 3 of these had an occupational hand eczema as a result of olive oil. We describe a masseur who was allergic to olive oil, resulting in an occupational hand eczema. Both patch tests and a use test with olive oil was undertaken. An oral provocation with olive oi l was also performed. Both patch tests were positive, as was the use test a fter 2 days. The oral provocation test was negative. Despite contact allerg y to olive oil being rare, sensitization occurs. The external use of olive oil should be discouraged, at least in masseurs, when used under occlusion, and in long-standing dermatoses.