Contact sensitivity to parabens incorporated as preservatives in topical steroid creams is reported. The optimum patch test concentration for detecting this sensitivity is 5% paraben in petrolatum. Patch tests to the offending steroid creams or bases with their lower paraben concentrations may give false negative reactions. The possibility of unrecognized paraben sensitivity as the cause of a protracted contact dermatitis should be considered in patients treated with parabencontaining creams, even after other sensitizers such as neomycin sulfate and iodochlorhydroxyquin (Vioform) have been identified and eliminated.