Sanitary Napkin Dermatitis due to the Perfume

Deodorant sanitary napkins are being used with increasing frequency. This is a case report of a patient with a puzzling vulvar dermatitis, which was due to the perfume in the deodorant sanitary napkin. Report of a Case A 38-year-old woman sought treatment in September 1977 with a perineal dermatitis that had been present for six months. She had been treated with many topical preparations without benefit. On examination she had a well-demarcated area of dermatitis on the labia, extending onto the anal area. Patch testing to the routine North American Contact Dermatitis seriesshowed positive results (Table 1). All patch tests were applied for 48 hours, using an occlusive technique with aluminum patch test strips.1 Further questioning showed that she was worse during her menstrual period. Just prior to the onset of the dermatitis, she had begun using deodorized tampons and deodorized sanitary napkins. Patch testing results with the