ABSTRACT
In Germany, for the period 1995-2004, the population-based relative incidence of contact sensitization to betamethasone valerate was estimated to be 0.6. Results of patch testing betamethasone valerate in consecutive patients suspected of contact dermatitis and of testing in groups of selected patients are shown in table 3.40.1. A very high prevalence of 20% was found in a Finnish study, which is probably the result of selecting patients based on a very strong suspicion of contact allergy to corticosteroids. Relevance was hardly ever addressed in studies in selected patients. In the period 1982-1994, in a center in Tokyo, 11 patients were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis from topical corticosteroids, including two cases caused by betamethasone valerate. A 62-year-old man presented with a traumatic ulcer 2 cm in diameter on his right ankle and diffuse erythema with miliary-sized red papules at the periphery on his right leg.
