A rare eyelid dermatitis allergen: shellac in a popular mascara.

摘要

WE REPORT FOUR CASES of eyelid dermatitis in women who were patch-tested with the standard tray of 65 allergens and their own products. All four women were found to be allergic to their own Maybelline Great Lash mascara (L'Oreal, Clichy, France). To investigate further, we performed patch tests with the individual ingredients of that mascara (provided by the manufacturer) and found that all four patients had an allergic reaction to the shellac in the mascara. Shellac is a natural resin produced by the insect Laccifer lacca and is mostly harvested in India for use in varnishes, food coatings, and cosmetics.