Unsuspected allergic contact dermatitis to alcohol swabs following neurosurgery.

We report a case of a 12-year-old girl with severe allergic contact dermatitis following neurosurgery secondary to topical use of isopropyl alcohol swabs. Alcohol swabs should not be overlooked as potential allergens. In our case, it was initially assumed that the cause of her reaction was either tapes or topical local anaesthetic.