Patients with airborne sensitization/contact dermatitis from budesonide-containing aerosols 'by proxy'

Inhalation corticosteroids (CSs), despite their wide use, rarely cause sensitization in subjects administering them.

To determine the cause of sensitization and/or of allergic contact dermatitis which occurred in air-exposed body areas of patients reacting to corticosteroids and to budesonide, in particular.

We reviewed the patch test results and sensitization sources in patients who reacted positively to corticosteroids tested in the K.U. Leuven Dermatology department during an 18-year period.

Fifteen subjects, not themselves treated by budesonide-containing aerosols, but taking care of/or living together with patients who used them because of a chronic respiratory affection, appeared to have been sensitized by airborne exposure and/or presented with airborne allergic contact dermatitis from them.

Air exposure to inhalation corticosteroids used 'by proxy' and to budesonide, in particular, needs to be taken into account as a potential cause of primary sensitization and/or airborne allergic contact dermatitis, sometimes also in an occupational context.