A case of cutaneous delayed-type allergy to oral dexamethasone and to betamethasone.

Corticosteroids are drugs that may cause allergic contact dermatitis, but systemic allergic reactions to these drugs are rare. A 29-year-old man developed a maculopapular rash during an oral therapy with betamethasone. Patch tests demonstrated a delayed-type allergy to dexamethasone, betamethasone and fluocortolone. Oral, intramuscular or topical provocation tests with other corticosteroids - deflazacort, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, fluticasone dipropionate, triamcinolone and prednisone - were all negative. This demonstrates that a patient with a systemic allergy to a group of corticosteroids can tolerate those of other groups. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel