Author(s)

Kentaro Ohko, Akiko Ito, Masaaki Ito

Division of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.

Natural vitamin E is suggested to have an antioxidant function. However, the synthetic form of vitamin E, DL-tocopherol, which has been widely used in topical ointments, may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Here, we report a case of allergic contact dermatitis with erythema multiforme-like eruption caused by a topical ointment. Patch testing indicated a positive allergic reaction to an anti-inflammatory ointment the patient had been using and its ingredient, DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E). In addition, a positive reaction to glycyrrhetinic acid was observed. Both vitamin E and glycyrrhetinic acid are useful ingredients of topical applications. However, the possibility that both can cause contact dermatitis, albeit rarely, should be considered.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis; Tocopheryl Acetate; Vitamin E; Enoxolone; 18-Glycyrrhetinic Acid

K. Ohko, A. Ito and M. Ito, "Allergic Contact Dermatitis Syndrome Due to Tocopherol Acetate, in Addition to Glycyrrhetinic Acid," Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2012, pp. 38-40. doi: 10.4236/jcdsa.2012.21009.