Eczema of the Eyelids: Who is the Culprit?

Periorbital dermatitis is a commonly occurring dermatological disorder and cosmetics are the most frequent allergens. We report a case of allergic dermatitsis of the eyelid secondary to a silicone bi-canalicular probe used to treat lacrimation of the eye of a 12 years old child. Silicone has long been considered chemically inert which does not involve any immunological reaction. However, granulomatous inflammatory reactions have been reported, particularly with breast implants, as well as rare cases of allergic hypersensitivity to pacemaker silicone components and cochlear implants. The diagnosis of contact dermatitis to silicone of the canalicular probe should be evoked in cases of eczema and pruritus located on the site of implantation.