Systemic contact dermatitis due to parabens

was initiated and she was referred to our department. On examination, resolving dermatitis of the upper lip, perinasal area and both earlobes was found, and an erythematous nasal mucosa was present. Cultures for herpes simplex and bacteria were negative. Her past history revealed contact allergy to Band-Aids and a drug eruption to penicillin 10 years ago, which had been successfully treated with topical flumethasone pivalate. She had never used any other corticosteroids and had never had atopic disease. Patch tests were performed with the European standard series and showed positive results to colophony, thiuram-mix, mercaptobenzothiazole and mercapto-mix. Patch tests to tixocortol pivalate, hydrocortisone and aqueous cetylpyridinium chloride were positive (Table I); patch tests with triamcinolone acetonide, clobetasol propionate and cetylpyridinium chloride in pet. were negative. Screening for inhalation allergens by prick tests was negative. Further tests were refused.