Sweat band dermatitis has not recently been described in the medical literature of the United States, and one of the underlying reasons for its low incidence is the fact that chrome-tanning compounds are not used in the preparation of sweat bands. Therefore, the leather of sweat bands contains, if any, only a limited amount of chromium. The vegetable tannins which are used are not potent sensitizers.
The use of chrome-tanned leather in sweat bands obtained under its procurement program has been specifically prohibited by the United States government in the two pertinent specifications which are now in force. "Military Specification MIL-B-3577A (S&A), Jan. 19, 1954, Band, Sweat, Cap (Leather)," which covers the requirements for sweat bands used in caps worn by military personnel, states that "chrome-tanned leather will not be permitted." "Interim Federal Specification GG-H-00166a (GSA-FSS), April 18, 1956, Headbands, Mirror," which covers mirror headbands for use by practitioners and