Background: Contact hypersensitivity to corticosteroids is increasingly reported. The prevalence of positive patch tests to corticosteroids ranges from 0.4 up to 6.4 %. Objective: The prevalence of positive patch tests to corticosteroids in our region was determined in pilot study of patients with various forms of dermatitis. Methods: Corticosteroid compounds as representatives of four groups (A-D) were used. They were tested simultaneously both in 96% ethanol and in yellow petrolatum in therapeutic and 1% concen- trations. The patch tests were applied for 48 hours, responses were read after 48, 72 and 96 hours and 1 week later, according to the ICDRG (International Contact Dermatitis Research Group) guidelines. Results: Among 664 patients, 9 individuals (1.35 %) with total 32 positive reactions to corticoste- roid compounds were found. There were evident cross-reactive patterns among the corticosteroids tested. The role of budesonid as a marker of corticosteroid hypersensitivity was confirmed. Conclusion: Corticosteroids should be included in routine patch testing although contact hyper- sensitivity to corticosteroids in Czech Republic is not so high.

        Key words: corticosteroids - contact hypersensitivity - patch tests