Dihydroabietyl alcohol (Abitol): a sensitizer in mascara

A nickel-sensitized female patient developed a contact dermatitis reaction to her mascara that was maintained by her spectacle frames, which contained nickel. On patch testing, she reacted to dihydroabietyl alcohol (Abitol), which was present in her mascara, and to hypoallergenic adhesive tape containing methyl abietate. There was also cross-reactivity with colophony and abietic acid.