Sudan I as a cause of pigmented contact dermatitis in "kumkum" (an Indian cosmetic).

"Kumkums" are coloured cosmetics frequently applied to the center of the forehead by Hindu women. Pigmented allergic contact dermatitis to "kumkum" was reported recently. It was associated with Brilliant Lake Red R and Sudan I allergy. These might be the causative allergens. Three of 7 brands of red "kumkums" analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry were found to contain various concentrations of Sudan I. They ranged from 2.789 mg/gm to 8.694 mg/gm. Sudan I is probably the cause of pigmented allergic contact dermatitis in red "kumkum".