ABSTRACT Introduction: Turpentine is an oleoresin obtained from various species of pine. It contains a volatile oil (oil of turpentine) which is responsible for its proper- ties and this is the form generally used. Opportunity for contact with turpentine is widespread. It is univer- sally used as a solvent to dissolve and thin lacquers, varnishes and paints. It is also an ingredient in many liniments and cold remedies. Turpentine is regarded as both a local irritant and a sensitizer. Cases of aller- gic contact dermatitis in painters, mechanics, shoe repairers and home decorators have been reported. Case report: We report a case of a non-professio- nal painter who developed a contact allergic dermati- tis due to his exposure to turpentine while doing oil-painting as a hobby. Discussion: Dermatitis is one of the biggest dan- gers of working with art materials and occupational contact dermatitis is often detected on the hands of the painters. Solvents are indispensable and turpen- tine is the most important and the traditional one used in oil-painting. Contact allergy to oil of turpen- tine was reported to have become rare in Europe but over the last few years, increased rates of turpen- tine sensitization have been reported. Key words: Turpentine. Contact dermatitis. Allergy. Allergic contact dermatitis. Oil painter. Hobby. INTRODUCTION Turpentine is an oleoresin obtained from various species of pine. It contains a volatile oil (oil of tur- pentine) which is responsible for its properties and is the form generally used. It is universally used as a solvent to dissolve and thin lacquers, varnishes and paints. It is also an ingredient in many liniments, cold remedies and veterinary medications 1 . Turpentine is regarded both as a local irritant and a sensitizer. Cases of allergic contact dermatitis in painters, mechanics, shoe repairers and home deco- rators have been reported 1 . We report a case of a non-professional painter who developed a contact allergic dermatitis due to his exposure to turpentine while painting as a hobby. CASE REPORT A 67-year-old man, with no prior history of skin dis- ease and with no personal or family history of atopy, pre- sented a 1-year history of recurrent severe eczema of the hands. He referred erythematous, itching and exuda- tive lesions followed by scaling, affecting both hands. No involvement of other parts of the skin was reported. He was a recently retired man who had chosen painting, and specifically oil-painting, as a hobby, and who now spends a lot of time doing his new activity. He used oil paints and oil of turpentine to dilute them and to clean brushes. He did not wear gloves for skin protection. Clinical examination showed multiple erythema- tous papules and excoriations on the back of both Allergol Immunopathol 2008;36(2):117-9 Allergic contact hobby dermatitis from turpentine L. Barchino-Ortiz, R. Cabeza-Martínez, V.M. Leis-Dosil, R.M. Suárez-Fernández and P. Lázaro-Ochaita Department of Dermatology. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Madrid. Spain. Correspondence: Lucía Barchino Ortiz. Department of Dermatology Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Doctor Esquerdo, 46. 28007. Madrid. Spain. E-mail: lucia_barchino@hotmail.com. Phone: 34 667963456. Fax: 915868018 Document downloaded from http://www.elsevier.es, day 08/07/2017. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited. Document downloaded from http://www.elsevier.es, day 08/07/2017. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited.