Allergic contact dermatitis to topical glucocorticosteroids.

During the past decade, the reported incidence of allergic reactions to topically applied glucocorticosteroids has increased significantly. The two cases reported here typify the presenting symptoms of the glucocorticosteroid-allergic persons. These cases also illustrate the extensive cross-reactivity among the different topical corticosteroids, as well as the potential for systemic contact dermatitis to occur following parenteral exposure. These cases are reviewed in the context of the many other reports in the literature of similar allergic reactions.