Topical corticosteroids are extensively used preparations as prescription medicines and as
over the counter medications in a wide variety of inflammatory dermatosis. These are
increasingly recognized as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis. The incidence of which
is reported to be 0.5 – 5% in various studies in Europe and USA. Studies in South East
Asia show a prevalence of 3.29% in Thailand. But there are limited data available in
India and no studies determining the same. The subtle clinical presentations are
responsible for missing this condition by the practicing doctors. One should thus consider
this diagnosis when there is worsening or poor response of the existing dermatosis to
topical steroids.
Objectives:
To study the contact hypersensitivity by patch testing in patients who do not respond to
or aggravate after using topical corticosteroids.
Materials and Methods:
24 patients aged 14 to 82 years with 17 males and 7 females underwent corticosteroid
patch testing with chemotechnique series which had 9 corticosteroid allergens including
control – petrolatum and patients own products which they were applying recently.
Reading was taken on Day3, 5 and 7 and results interpreted according to ICDRG scale.
Results:
4 out of 24 patients (16.3% positivity) tested positive to the allergens in the
corticosteroid series and 1 tested positive patients own medication.
Conclusion:
On reviewing the details of the positive outcomes- They were single positivity’s except in
one patient with reaction of two different groups of steroids – tixocortol of Group A in
the series and Flutivate ointment (Fluticasone) in her own medications. The other patterns
that were observed were that the patients included in the study had longer duration of
dermatosis, henc