Adverse reaction to locally applied preservatives in nose drops

A 33-year-old woman with documented hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and preservatives, causing bronchial asthma and rhinitis when ingested, was investigated because of 'allergy to nose drops'. It was found that she had a serious local reaction caused by the preservative used in the nose drops prescribed. This reaction might occur more commonly than realized, since sensitivity towards ASA is fairly common in the general population.