Sensitization to yellow petrolatum used as a vehicle for patch testing.

A pharmaceutical test battery applied to a leg ulcer patient gave results in which all the substances diluted in yellow petrolatum were positive, while those diluted in alcohol, water, or olive oil were negative. The European Standard series was negative, except for wool alcohols. Chronic dermatitis and hyperpigmentation caused by petrolatum have been reported by researcher H. Maibach in a black patient in the year 1978. Contact dermatitis reactions to both yellow and white petrolatum have been described.