Cheilitis caused by contact allergy to anethole in spearmint flavoured toothpaste.
A 63-year-old woman presented with a 6-year history of persistent cheilitis. Minimal improvement was achieved with therapeutic measures. Patch testing was positive to anethole, a flavouring used in her toothpaste. Her cheilitis resolved after cessation of the flavoured toothpaste. This case demonstrates the importance of considering contact allergy to toothpaste flavours in patients with cheilitis.
Poon
Terence S C
TS
Skin and Cancer Foundation, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Freeman
Susanne
S
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D031337:Mentha spicata / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D014100:Toothpastes