Sensitivity to perfumes and preservatives in patients with contact dermatitis

Synopsis Patients with contact dermatitis were patch tested for sensitivity to perfumes (perfume mixture, balsam of Peru) and to preservatives (formaldehyde). The percentages of sensitivity in Greek patients with contact dermatitis were 8.1% for the perfume mixture, 3.7% for the balsam of Peru and 2.3% for formaldehyde. It is notable that 1.4% of the patients demonstrated simultaneous sensitivity to the perfume mixture and to balsam of Peru, while no case of simultaneous sensitivity occurred for formaldehyde and the two other compounds. Factors such as sex, age, occupation and anatomic site of the appearance of dermatitis in patients were taken into account and related to the percentages of sensitivity. Comparing with the literature we have concluded that the frequency of appearance of sensitivity by Greek patients is not significantly different from the average observed for patients in Northern or Southern Europe.