The authors describe the case of a female patient with the basic diagnosis of dermatitis seborrhoica faciei who developed contact sensitization to sorbic acid and propyl gallate from dermatological external preparations, leading to the picture of contact eczema on the face and on the neck. Sorbic acid is a well known preservative in the food industry. It is also used for the preservation of some drugs for internal and external treatment and of some cosmetic preparations. Propyl gallate is present in some dermatological external preparations andcosmetic preparations as an antioxidant and it has also an antimicrobial effect. It is also used in the food industry. As to dermatological external preparations used by the patient sorbic acid is present in Retin A cream and Neoaquasorb cream, propyl gallate is present in cremor leniens and in oleopaste which contains adepts suillus stabilized by this antioxidant. Exacerbation of the facial eczema occurred also after administration of Pervinium for the treatment of helminthosis as Pervinium also contain sorbic acid. In case of dermatoses of an eczematous character which do not improve after current external therapy, a detailed dermatoallergological examination is indicated as chronicity of the disease may be kept up by contact sensitization to some constituent of external dermatological preparations incl. auxiliary substances.

        Key words: eczema contactum - auxiliary substances - preservatives - antioxidants - sorbic acid - propyl gallate