Contact allergy to olive oil is considered rare; however 20 cases of contact allergy to olive oil were found in a University study in Sweden and this has led to researchers advising massage therapists to avoid the use of olive oil in their treatments if they or their patients have a history of eczema.

3 of the 20 patients (15%) had occupational hand eczema as a result of using olive oil. The study describes a massage therapist who was allergic to olive oil, resulting in an occupational hand eczema.

Both patch tests and a use test with olive oil were undertaken. An oral test with olive oil was also performed. Both patch tests were positive, as was the use test after 2 days. The oral test was negative.

The report concludes that, despite contact allergy to olive oil being rare, sensitisation occurs in a significant minority of patients. For this reason, the external use of olive oil should be discouraged, at least in massage therapists or their patients, who suffer with long-standing eczema.