Contact allergy to corticosteroids

Abstract

Contact hypersensitivity to topical corticosteroids has been increasingly reported in recent years. In large series of patch test patients from big dermatologic centres the reported hypersensitivity ranges from 0.5 up to 5%. The prevalence of allergic reactions and the groups of cortisteroids causing sensitization differ depending on the therapeutic approach in different countries. 222 patients with various forms of dermatitis were tested with eight pure corticosteroid substances in 96% ethanol and in petrolatum. Allergic reactions in our group of patients were rare (1.35%), probably because of the limited use of topical corticosteroids in the Czech Republic in the past.