Allergic contact dermatitis resulting from sensitivity to citrus peel, geraniol, and citral

A bartender with hand dermatitis had allergic contact sensitivity to the skin of lemon, lime, and orange but not to their juices. Although most reported cases of citrus peel allergy are due to d-limonene, for our patient, reactions to patch tests for geraniol and citral, two minor components of citrus peel oil, were positive, whereas those for d-limonene were negative. Contact allergy to citrus peel oil should be considered in patients with hand dermatitis who are occupationally exposed to citrus fruits.