Allergic contact cheilitis caused by propolis: case report

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 20; p. eRC6151
• Main Authors: Belluco, Paulo Eduardo Silva, Belluco, Rosana Zabulon Feijó, Reis, Carmelia Matos Santiago
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein 01-01-2022
• Subjects: Case Report; Cheilitis - chemically induced; Cheilitis - complications; Cheilitis - diagnosis; COVID-19; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - etiology; Female; Humans; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Propolis - adverse effects; SARS-CoV-2; Cheilitis; Dermatitis, contact; Propolis; Patch tests
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022RC6151

Propolis is a lipophilic resin extracted from plants by bees. The purpose of this case report was to show the importance of this substance as cause of allergic contact cheilitis. A 21-year-old female patient complained of pruritic perioral eczema for 5 years. In the past months it also affected the neck. After diagnosing contact dermatitis, she was submitted to a patch test with a Latin American baseline series. The result was strongly positive for propolis (++) and weakly positive for perfume mix I (+). After the test, the patient revealed she had been using propolis drops, per oris, for 10 years. The worsening of the condition was due to increased dose, aiming "to improve immunity", during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The contact allergy to propolis might be increasing due to the widespread use of natural products. Propolis is a sensitizer to be considered in patients with long-lasting cheilitis.