Allergic contact dermatitis to Myroxylon pereirae (Balsam of Peru) in papaw ointment causing cheilitis

Stephanie Tan; Mei Mui Tam; Rosemary L Nixon

doi:10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00772.x

Allergic contact dermatitis to Myroxylon pereirae (Balsam of Peru) in papaw ointment causing cheilitis

Australas J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;52(3):222-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00772.x. Epub 2011 May 31.

Authors

Stephanie Tan¹, Mei Mui Tam, Rosemary L Nixon

Affiliation

¹ Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin and Cancer Foundation Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. stephietan@hotmail.com

PMID: 21834822
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00772.x

Abstract

Two patients presented with cheilitis and perioral dermatitis. Patch testing revealed positive reactions to both Myroxylon pereirae (MP; formerly known as Balsam of Peru) and Lucas Papaw Ointment (LPO; Lucas Papaw Remedies, Bisbane, Qld, Australia). MP was not listed as an ingredient in LPO, however the manufacturer confirmed that a small amount of MP was present in LPO and we believe this to be the cause of the patients' dermatitis.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Balsams / adverse effects*
Cheilitis / chemically induced*
Child
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / complications*
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / etiology
Female
Humans
Ointments

Substances

Balsams
Ointments
Peruvian balsam