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Cobalt contact dermatitis and vitamin B12

Question:

5/21/2021
I have a patient who has contact dermatitis to cobalt. Can he/she take vit B12 if deficient?
 

Answer:

Cobalt is one of the components of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin. Patients with allergic contact dermatitis who receive vitamin B12 replacement have been reported to experience a variety of cutaneous reactions, including chronic vesicular hand dermatitis, cheilitis and stomatitis. Erythematous, pruritic injection site reactions have been seen in patients receiving Vitamin B12 injections. Since management of allergic contact dermatitis is predicated on allergen avoidance, a risk-benefit discussion should be conducted before embarking on vitamin B12 treatment in such a patient.

References
Brescoll J, Daveluy S. A review of vitamin B12 in dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol 2015;16:27-33.

Fowler JF. Cobalt. Dermatitis 2016:27(1):3-8.

I hope this helps you with your patient.

Jacqueline A. Pongracic, MD, FAAAAI