Contact dermatitis from a compound mixture of sugar and povidone-iodine.

2 patients with leg ulcers got worse after the application of a compound mixture of sugar and povidone-iodine (sugar/PI compound). Because they had been suffering from stasis dermatitis, symptoms of contact dermatitis were ambiguous. Patch tests showed positive reactions to 10% povidone-iodine in water and 5% potassium iodide in water, with no response to sugar. They were also tested with sugar/PI compound, containing 3% povidone-iodine, resulting in another positive reaction. They improved after the application of sugar/PI compound was discontinued. Contact dermatitis from topical agents should be considered as more probable than angry back syndrome in cases of leg ulcer.