Abstract

Introduction: Eyelid eczema (EE) is a pruritic inflammatory dermatosis of the eyelids. It is a frequent reason for consultation in dermato-allergology. Its prevalence varies between 3% to 21%. The aims of this study were to determine the phenotype of eyelid eczema and to identify the various contact allergens. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted over a 6-month period in two Dermatology departments and one Ophthalmology department in Dakar (Senegal). All patients with eyelid eczema have been included in the study. Results: We collected 50 cases of eyelid eczema, representing a hospital frequency of 0.47%. The mean age was 23 years, with extremes of 8 months and 84 years, and the sex ratio was 0.66. Personal atopy has been noted in 84% of cases. Lesions were chronic in 32 cases (64%) and acute in 18 (36%). The upper eyelid was involved in 98% and the lower in 96%. Eyelid involvement has been isolated in 24% of cases, associated with facial involvement in 62% and hand involvement in 16%. Patch tests were positive in 100% of cases, the most frequent contact allergens being Potassium dichromate in 44.44%, Nickel in 38.88%, Hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 27.77% and Cobalt in 27.77% of cases. Positivity of personal products reinforced relevance in 5 cases. Conclusion: Eyelid eczema is an inflammatory dermatosis of young women. The sources of allergens most frequently encountered in eyelid eczema are cosmetics and ophthalmic eye drops. Identifying the various contact allergens enables appropriate avoidance measures to be put in place.