allergopedia

Home | Table of contents | Agents from A to Z | For Authors | Scientific Advisory Board | Editors and Publishers

PDFbutton  

Tin allergy

Radosław Śpiewak¹,² ORCID iD icon

¹ Institute of Dermatology, Kraków, Poland
² Dermatology and Allergology Outpatient Clinic ‘dermatolog.eu’, Kraków, Poland

Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sodium stannate, stannous chloride, stannous fluoride, stannous pyrophosphate, tin, tin chloride, tin dioxide, tin oxide

Suggested citation: Śpiewak R (2026) Tin allergy. Allergopedia 2: 1. doi: 10.14320/allergopedia.20260201

Tin [chemical symbol: Sn] (Latin: stannum, derivative terms used in chemical compounds: stannous, stannic, stannate), is a malleable, so-called post-transition metal with many uses. It is commonly used for soldering and for tin-plating of metal objects including cans for preserved food. It can also be a component of dental amalgams (so-called silver fillings). Tin chloride is used in the textile industry as a mordant - a substance that improves binding of dyes to fabric fibres. Tin chloride and tin oxalate are used as catalysts in the synthesis of organic compounds, including esterification reactions; in methods for the detection of mercury, gold, platinum, and palladium; and in the silver plating of mirrors. Some tin compounds are also used as cosmetic product ingredients, food additives, in cavity-preventing toothpaste, and in certain radio-pharmaceuticals. Organotin(IV) complexes are being studied as anti-cancer agents.

Synonyms and names in other languages

CAS 7440-31-5, Cín, Cyna, EC 231-141-8, Estaño, Étain, Zinn

Tin in cosmetic products / toiletries

Whilst the INCI name Tin may be found listed as an ingredient of a cosmetic product, it is likely that it is not metallic tin that is present in the product but Tin Oxide, this being used to impart desirable physical properties (viscosity, density, opacity, and colour/shimmer) in, for example, eye shadows, eyeliners, and mascaras. Stannous Chloride [= tin(II) chloride; tin dichloride] is included in cosmetic product formulations as a reducing agent (i.e. an antioxidant, protecting other ingredients including pigments from oxidative degradation). Both Tin Oxide and Stannous Chloride are also recognised as pigments / colourants: CI 77861 & CI 77864 respectively. However, neither is listed in Annex IV - List of Colorants Allowed in Cosmetic Products of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. Stannous Fluoride [= tin(II) fluoride; tin difluoride] is an ingredient in fluoride toothpastes, whilst Stannous Pyrophosphate [= tin pyrophosphate] is added to oral hygiene products to prevent dental plaque formation and achieve a soothing effect. Sodium Stannate [= 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 viscosity.

  • INCI: Tin
  • INCI: Tin Oxide / CI 77861
  • INCI: Sodium Stannate
  • INCI: Stannous Chloride / CI 77864
  • INCI: Stannous Fluoride
  • INCI: Stannous Pyrophosphate

Our own analyses showed that among 2210 cosmetics other than toothpaste offered in Kraków 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 (Spiewak et al. 2026, Wolowiec & Spiewak 2026).

Numerous Tin Oxide-, Stannous Chloride-, Stannous Fluoride-, and Sodium Stannate-containing cosmetic products and toiletries are to be found listed on INCIDecoder

INCI: International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — In the UK, the European Union, and in other global regions, manufacturers of cosmetic products are legally required to list ingredients on product labels / packaging using standardised INCI nomenclature. The Personal Care Products Council cautions that "The designation of an INCI name for a cosmetic ingredient is an essential part of ingredient identification; however, the assignment of an INCI name does not mean that the ingredient has been approved for cosmetics."

CI: Colour Index, a unique number of a dye in the Colour Index™ International (CI) reference database, published online by the Society of Dyers and Colourists and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

Tin in food

Stannous chloride is a food additive (E 512) used as a colour stabiliser and antioxidant. In the European Union, Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011) restricts the use of stannous chloride to a maximum permitted level of 25 mg/kg (expressed as Sn) only for the preservation of white asparagus (EFSA ANS Panel 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 (Uter et al. 2026). Patch test material available for testing includes:

  • Stannous chloride 1% pet. [Chemotechnique Diagnostics, cat. number S-013] – recommended by the author as most suitable, athough some authors raise the possibility of false positive, irritant reactions
  • Tin(II) oxalate 1% pet. [Chemotechnique Diagnostics, cat. number S-014]
  • Tin (metallic) 50% pet. [Chemotechnique Diagnostics, cat. number T-008]

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:

References

  • Aggarwal V, Jain A, Kabi D (2010) Oral lichenoid reaction associated with tin component of amalgam restorations: a case report. American Journal of Dermatopathology 32(1): 46-48. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181afcdab
  • Davis MD, Wang MZ, Yiannias JA, Keeling JH, Connolly SM, Richardson DM, Farmer SA (2011) Patch testing with a large series of metal allergens: findings from more than 1,000 patients in one decade at Mayo Clinic. Dermatitis 22(5): 256-271. doi: 10.2310/6620.2011.11035
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (2018) Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of stannous chloride (E 512) as food additive. EFSA Journal 16(6): e05295. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5295
  • Enamandram M, Das S, Chaney KS (2014) Cheilitis and urticaria associated with stannous fluoride in toothpaste. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 71(3): e75-e76. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.01.912
  • George H, Dendooven E, Leysen J, Aerts O (2023) Recurrent allergic contact stomatitis and aphtosis, without cheilitis, due to stannous (tin)-containing toothpastes. Contact Dermatitis 89(6): 509-511. doi: 10.1111/cod.14418
  • Gil F, Rato M, Monteiro A, Parente J, Aranha J (2019) Occupational lichenoid allergic contact dermatitis caused by tin. Contact Dermatitis 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 (2019) Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Global Research and Reviews 3(4): e023. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00023
  • Menné T, Andersen KE, Kaaber K, Osmundsen PE, Andersen JR, Yding F, Valeur G (1987) Tin: an overlooked contact sensitizer? Contact Dermatitis 16(1): 9-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1987.tb02608.x
  • Nielsen NH, Skov L (1998) Occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a patient with a positive patch test to tin. Contact Dermatitis 39(2): 99-100. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1998.tb05854.x
  • Pigatto PD, Bombeccari G, Spadari F, Guzzi G (2011) Oral lichenoid reaction, dental amalgam, and tin allergy. American Journal of Dermatopathology 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 71(3): 184-185. doi: 10.1111/cod.12237
  • Śpiewak R (2024) 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 11(3; Suppl 1): S22. doi: 10.5114/pja.2024.144346
  • Spiewak R (2026) P-029. Tin contact allergy: A summary of 12 years of patch testing. Contact Dermatitis 94(S1): 52-53. doi: 10.1111/cod.70165 url: https://radoslawspiewak.net/a26-03.htm
  • Spiewak R, Spiewak A, Kalicinska J (2026) FS-26. Cosmetics as a source of tin exposure. Contact Dermatitis 94(S1): 14. doi: 10.1111/cod.70167 url: https://radoslawspiewak.net/a26-01.htm
  • Toma N, Horst N, Dandelooy J, Romaen E, Leysen J, Aerts O (2018) Contact allergy caused by stannous fluoride in toothpaste. Contact Dermatitis 78(4): 304-306. doi: 10.1111/cod.12940
  • Uter W, Aerts O, Agner T, Brans R, Bruze M, Cannavó A, Crépy MN, Giménez-Arnau AM, Gonçalo M, Goossens A, John SM, Lidén C, Hadžavdić SL, Mahler V, Matura M, Özkaya E, Pesonen M, Raison-Peyron N, Rustemeyer T, Spiewak R, Stingeni L, White IR, Wilkinson SM, Johansen JD (2026) European Society of Contact Dermatitis Guideline for Diagnostic Patch Testing-Recommendations on Best Practice (Update 2026). Contact Dermatitis 95(3): 237-275. doi: 10.1111/cod.70195
  • Wolowiec W, Spiewak R (2026) FS-33. Metals with known sensitizing potential as ingredients in oral care products. Contact Dermatitis 94(S1): 17. doi: 10.1111/cod.70167 url: https://radoslawspiewak.net/a26-02.htm

Disclaimer

The information provided above is not exhaustive, and the irritant / sensitizer to which you react may also be present in 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.

Allergopedia online: https://allergopedia.info • ISSN 3072-564X
© 2026 Radosław Śpiewak. This is an Open Access journal. Articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-SA).
This license enables reusers to distribute, adapt, translate and build upon the material
in any medium or format only for noncommercial purposes provided that attribution is given to
the author(s) and to the original source by reference to its Digital Object Identifier (DOI),
and provided that reusers distribute only under the CC BY-NC-ND Creative Commons license.
Document created: 01 January 2026; last updated: 10 September 2026
Allergopedia™ is a EU-registered trademark

https://allergopedia.info/2026v02a01_tin.html