[Tefillin-related contact dermatitis].

Abstract

We describe a 14 year-old male with a background of atopic dermatitis who developed a contact dermatitis reaction on the left arm to the leather straps of tefillin (phylacteries), a religious article worn by observant Jewish men from the age 13 years during most morning prayer services. Patch testing revealed contact allergy to potassium dichromate, a chemical involved in leather tanning. Placing the leather straps over clothing and later switching to potassium dichromate-free leather straps resolved the condition. It is important to recognize this uncommon phenomena in a population in which a large proportion regularly use this religious article.

• Authors: Philip J Hashkes, Efraim Sagi
• Journal: Harefuah (Harefuah) Vol. 150 Issue 9 Pg. 700-2, 752 (Sep 2011) ISSN: 0017-7768 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 22026052 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Potassium Dichromate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Arm
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Jews
• Male
• Patch Tests
• Potassium Dichromate (immunology)
• Tanning