ABSTRACT
Estradiol benzoate is a prodrug ester of estradiol, a naturally occurring hormone that circulates endogenously within the human body. Estradiol is the most potent form of all mammalian estrogenic steroids and acts as the major female sex hormone. Three female patients were prescribed a cream (one also a solution) containing 0.05% estradiol benzoate for dermatitis resp. an undefined eruption resp. seborrheic dermatitis of the face. As estradiol was negative in all three patients, the author hypothesized that the sensitizing capacity of estradiol benzoate resides in the benzoate part of the molecule rather than in the hormone portion. An alternate explanation would, according to the author, be that the primary sensitization was due to resorcinol monobenzoate. No cross-reactions to estradiol valerate, estradiol, ethinylestradiol, or diethylstilbestrol in 1-3 patients sensitized to estradiol benzoate.
