Azathioprine as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in air-borne contact dermatitis.

Two patients having air-borne contact dermatitis (ABCD) caused by Parthenium hysterophorus.for 10 and 15 years respectively and without having had complete remissions in spite of oral betamethasone in a dose of 2-3 mg per day, experienced complete relief while taking 50-100 mg azathioprine for 5 and 12 weeks without having to take systemic corticosteroids. There were no side effects of azathioprine. With further experience and standardization of the treatment schedule, it may be possible to use azathioprine as a corticosteroid-sparing agent to reduce the side effects of corticosteroids in patients having ABCD.