Identification of coumarin as the sensitizer in a patient sensitive to herown perfume but negative to the fragrance mix

The aim of this study was to identify the chemicals responsible for the sen sitivity of a 44-year-old woman to her own perfume, but showing negative pa tch test results to the fragrance mix. For this purpose, the perfume concen trate from the eau de toilette was chemically fractionated. Each fraction o btained tvas afterwards tested on the patient using a ROAT and/or a patch t est. Only 1 fraction gave a positive ROAT result. This fraction was analyze d and found to contain coumarin and ethyl vanillin. Coumarin, one of the mo st widely used fragrance compounds that is not present in the fragrance mix , was confirmed as being the sensitizer.