ABSTRACT
Bibrocathol is a bismuth derivative of tetrabromopyrocatechol that is still used in some countries as a topical ointment for the treatment of blepharitis. A 33-year-old woman presented with a history of atopic hand eczema and allergic rhinitis. Because of periorbital dermatitis, she was treated with a 5% bibrocathol-containing eye ointment. She noticed an exacerbation of her dermatitis after such treatment. A patch test was positive to the ointment at D4 and D7. The molecules which form bibrocathol, bismuth oxide and tetrabromocatechol, were tested together with the ointment in a 2nd series of patch tests. Ten controls were negative. It was concluded that the inorganic bismuth oxide was the main hapten rather than the complex bibrocathol.
