Tin allergy
Radoslaw Śpiewak
Institute of Dermatology, Kraków, Poland
Keywords: tin, tin oxide, tin dioxide, tin chloride, sodium stannate, stannous chloride, stannous fluoride, stannous pyrophosphate, contact allergy, allergic contact dermatitis.
Suggested citation format: Śpiewak R. Tin allergy. Allergopedia. 2026;02:01. DOI: [to be announced]
Tin (Latin: stannum, derivative terms used in chemical compounds: stannous, stannic, stannate) is a soft base metal with many uses. It is commonly used for soldering and tin-plating of metal objects, including cans for canned food. It can also be a component of dental amalgams (so-called silver fillings). Tin chloride is used in the textile industry as mordant - a substance that improves binding of dyes to fabric fibers. Tin chloride is also used in the synthesis of organic compounds, the detection of mercury, gold, platinum, and palladium, and in the silver plating of mirrors. Tin chloride and tin oxalate are used as catalysts in the synthesis of organic compounds, including esterification reactions. Tin compounds are used as cosmetic ingredients, food additives and as excipients in medicines.
INCI and other names used for tin compounds in cosmetic products
Tin, Tin Oxide, Sodium Stannate, Stannous Chloride, Stannous Fluoride, Stannous Pyrophosphate, CI 77861, CI 77864
INCI: International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients - unified, international names for cosmetic ingredients. Information about ingredients is provided on cosmetics packaging according to the INCI nomenclature.
CI: Colour Index, a unique number of a dye in the Colour Index™ International (CI) reference database.
- Metallic tin (INCI: Tin) can be added to cosmetics as a surfactant and cleaning agent.
- Tin oxide; tin dioxide (INCI: Tin Oxide, CI 77861) is used as a substance that imparts desirable physical properties to cosmetics (viscosity, density, opacity) and as pigment in color cosmetics, e.g., eye shadows, eyeliners, and mascaras.
- Tin chloride; tin dichloride (INCI: Stannous Chloride, CI 77864) is added to cosmetics as a reducing agent and as pigment, e.g., eye shadows, eyeliners, and mascaras.
- Sodium stannate (INCI: Sodium Stannate, synonyms: sodium stannate(IV) trihydrate, sodium hexahydroxystannate(IV), sodium hexahydroxostannate(IV), disodium stannic hexahydroxide, disodium tin hexahydroxide) is used in cosmetics to protect the product against photodegradation and to regulate its viscosity.
- Tin fluoride; tin difluoride (INCI: Stannous Fluoride) is an ingredient in many fluoride toothpastes.
- Tin pyrophosphate (INCI: Stannous Pyrophosphate) prevents dental plaque formation and has a soothing effect, which is why it is often added to oral hygiene products.
Our own analysis showed that among 2210 cosmetics other than toothpaste offered in Krakow stores between 2014 and 2022, over 6% contained tin compounds - most often creams, gels, foundations and lotions for the face and body, hair dyes, lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip balms [Śpiewak et al., abstract submitted to ESCD Copenhagen 2026].
Tin in food
Stannous chloride is a food additive (E512) used as a colour stabilizer and antioxidant in fruit and vegetable preserves. In the European Union, stannous chloride is allowed only in canned or bottled white asparagus at a maximum permitted level of 25 mg/l, expressed as Sn mass [EFSA 2018].
Clinical presentation of tin allergy
The source of tin in most previously described cases of allergy has been toothpaste and dental amalgams [Menné et al. 1987; Aggarwal et al. 2010; Pigatto et al. 2011; Enamandram et al. 2014; Toma et al. 2018; George et al. 2023]. Cases of occupational eczema including airborne dermatitis have also been described [Nielsen & Skov 1998; Quenan et al. 2014; Gil et al. 2019].
Available diagnostic methods and materials
At present, the only validated method of detecting tin allergy is patch testing performed in line with current guidelines provided by national or international scientific societies, e.g., European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Patch test material available for testing includes:
- Stannous chloride 1% pet. (recommended by the author as most suitable, athough some authors raise the possibility of false positive, irritant reactions)
- Tin(II) oxalate 1% pet.
- Tin (metallic) 50% pet.
Positivity rates
The frequency of positive reactions to tin ranges widely depending on population tested and patch test material used. Positivity rates reported to date include:
- 0.3% - 8.2% [Menné et al. 1987; Davis et al. 2011; Haddad et al. 2019]
- among 324 Polish consecutive patch tested patients, clinically significant positive reactions to stannous chloride 1% pet. were observed in 7.4% [Śpiewak 2024].
Disclaimer
The above description does not exhaust all possible exposures and symptoms, and the irritant / sensitizer to which you react may also be present in other sources not listed above. Therefore, always check the composition of the products and substances with which you come into contact. If in doubt, consult a licensed physician, preferably a dermatologist or an allergist.
The authors, reviewers, editors and publisher of this work have made every effort to ensure that the content presented reflects the current state of knowledge at the time of its preparation. However, scientific progress may render some information outdated or inaccurate. Therefore, the authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers of this work assume no responsibility or liability for any damages resulting from the application of the information provided. Use of this work constitutes acceptance of this disclaimer and a waiver of any claims arising from its use.
References
- Aggarwal V, Jain A, Kabi D. Oral lichenoid reaction associated with tin component of amalgam restorations: a case report. American Journal of Dermatopathology 2010;32(1):46-48. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181afcdab
- Davis MD, Wang MZ, Yiannias JA, Keeling JH, Connolly SM, Richardson DM, Farmer SA. Patch testing with a large series of metal allergens: findings from more than 1,000 patients in one decade at Mayo Clinic. Dermatitis. 2011;22(5):256-271. doi: 10.2310/6620.2011.11035
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Younes M, Aggett P, Aguilar F, Crebelli R, Dusemund B, Filipič M, Frutos MJ, Galtier P, Gott D, Gundert-Remy U, Kuhnle GG, Lambré C, Leblanc JC, Lillegaard IT, Moldeus P, Mortensen A, Oskarsson A, Stankovic I, Waalkens-Berendsen I, Wright M, Di Domenico A, Van Loveren H, Giarola A, Horvath Z, Lodi F, Riolo F, Woutersen RA. Re-evaluation of stannous chloride (E 512) as food additive. EFSA Journal 2018;16(6):5295. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5295
- Enamandram M, Das S, Chaney KS. Cheilitis and urticaria associated with stannous fluoride in toothpaste. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2014;71(3):e75-e76. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.01.912
- George H, Dendooven E, Leysen J, Aerts O. Recurrent allergic contact stomatitis and aphtosis, without cheilitis, due to stannous (tin)-containing toothpastes. Contact Dermatitis 2023;89(6):509-511. doi: 10.1111/cod.14418
- Gil F, Rato M, Monteiro A, Parente J, Aranha J. Occupational lichenoid allergic contact dermatitis caused by tin. Contact Dermatitis 2019;81(1):71-73. doi: 10.1111/cod.13236
- Haddad SF, Helm MM, Meath B, Adams C, Packianathan N, Uhl R. Exploring the incidence, implications, and relevance of metal allergy to orthopaedic surgeons. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Global Research and Reviews 2019;3(4):e023. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00023
- Menné T, Andersen KE, Kaaber K, Osmundsen PE, Andersen JR, Yding F, Valeur G. Tin: an overlooked contact sensitizer? Contact Dermatitis 1987;16(1):9-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1987.tb02608.x
- Nielsen NH, Skov L. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a patient with a positive patch test to tin. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(2):99-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1998.tb05854.x
- Pigatto PD, Bombeccari G, Spadari F, Guzzi G. Oral lichenoid reaction, dental amalgam, and tin allergy. American Journal of Dermatopathology 2011;33(4):414-415. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181e7ce49
- Quenan S, Huber C, Pasche-Koo F, Piletta P. Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by tin. Contact Dermatitis 2014;71(3):184-185. doi: 10.1111/cod.12237
- Śpiewak R. Alergia kontaktowa na cynę – podsumowanie testów płatkowych z lat 2007–2024 [Contact allergy to tin - summary of patch tests from 2007-2024. Alergologia Polska - Polish Journal of Allergology 2024;11(3; Suppl 1):S22. doi: 10.5114/pja.2024.144346
- Toma N, Horst N, Dandelooy J, Romaen E, Leysen J, Aerts O. Contact allergy caused by stannous fluoride in toothpaste. Contact Dermatitis 2018;78(4):304-306. doi: 10.1111/cod.12940
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