AUTOIMMUNE PROGESTERONE DERMATITIS - ABSENCE OF CONTACT SENSITIVITY TO GLUCOCORTICOIDS, ESTROGEN AND 17-ALPHA-OH-PROGESTERONE

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare condition, characterized by recurrent premenstrual exacerbations of a dermatosis, in which sens itivity to progesterone can be demonstrated. The sensitizing mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that cro ss-sensitivity between steroid groups could induce allergy to endogeno us progesterone in these patients. 5 patients with autoimmune progeste rone dermatitis and 1 with oestrogen-sensitive dermatitis have been pa tch tested with a corticosteroid series, conjugated oestrogen 1% in pe trolatum (pet.), and 17-alpha-OH-progesterone 2% pet. There were no im mediate or delayed reactions at 2 and 4 days to any steroid group. We have therefore been unable to demonstrate steroid cross-sensitivity, o r a use for 17-alpha-OH-progesterone in the investigation of oestrogen - and progesterone-sensitive dermatoses.