Allergic contact dermatitis caused by sorbitan sesquioleate imitating severe glove dermatitis in a patient with filaggrin mutation.

Sorbitan sesquioleate is a mixture of monoesters and diesters of oleic acid and hexitol anhydrides derived from sorbitol (1). It is an emulsifying agent that is widely used in cosmetic formulations and pharmaceutical products, including topical steroids (2). In the fragrance mix I obtained from Hermal (Reinbek, Germany), one of the main manufacturers of patch test ingredients, sorbitan sesquioleate 5% is added to aid the dispersion of the individual constituents. With the same purpose, sorbitan sesquioleate 1% is added to several of the specific fragrances for patch testing. Hence, sorbitan sesquioleateallergic patients may erroneously be regarded as having a fragrance allergy if they are not concomitantly tested with sorbitan sequioleate.