Allergic Contact Dermatitis® to Petrolatum: A Timeless Problem

Petrolatum is a mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons of the methane series. It represents a poorly sensitizing and irritating substance largely used in topical medications and cosmetics. Because of these characteristics, it is considered the proper patch test vehicle for various allergens. A 22-year-old girl presented with a chronic hand eczema occurred one year earlier, after starting a new job in a bakery. A contact sensitization to nickel sulfate was already recognized. Patch tests were performed with the Società Italiana di Dermatologia e Allergologica Professionale e Ambientale Baseline Series (F.I.R.M.A., Florence, Italy); patch tests were applied on her back using chambers (Van der Bend BV, Brielle, the Netherlands). Nickel sulfate was not tested considering the already known sensitization.