A neutrophilic reaction of Sweet's syndrome type associated with the oral contraceptive

• Published in: Australasian journal of dermatology Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 55
• Main Authors: Tefany, F J, Georgouras, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.04.1991
• Subjects: Contraceptives, Postcoital, Hormonal - adverse effects; Drug Eruptions - etiology; Drug Eruptions - pathology; Ethinyl Estradiol - adverse effects; Ethinyl Estradiol-Norgestrel Combination; Female; Fever - etiology; Humans; Middle Aged; Neutrophils - pathology; Norgestrel - adverse effects; Recurrence; Sweet Syndrome - chemically induced; Sweet Syndrome - pathology; Syndrome; Immunologic Factors; Oral Contraceptives, Phasic > pharmacodynamics; Contraceptive Agents > pharmacodynamics; Autoimmune Response; Erythema Nodosum; Antibodies; Biology; Hematologic Tests; Dermatological Effects > etiology; Laboratory Procedures; Research Methodology; Dermatitis; Immunity; Oceania; Contraceptive Agents > side effects; Contraceptive Agents, Estrogen > pharmacodynamics; Contraceptive Methods > pharmacodynamics; Physiology; Levonorgestrel > pharmacodynamics; Contraceptive Agents, Female > pharmacodynamics; Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses; Levonorgestrel > side effects; Oral Contraceptives > side effects; Contraception; Ethinyl Estradiol > side effects; Contraceptive Agents, Estrogen > side effects; Contraceptive Methods > side effects; Family Planning; Examinations And Diagnoses; Diseases; Studies; Steroid Metabolic Effects; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin > pharmacodynamics; Developed Countries; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin > side effects; Ethinyl Estradiol > pharmacodynamics; Case Studies; Australia; Oral Contraceptives, Combined > pharmacodynamics; Contraceptive Agents, Female > side effects; Metabolic Effects
• ISSN: 0004-8380
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1991.tb00684.x

A case is presented of a Sweet's syndrome-like eruption in association with the oral contraceptive. A 46 year old caucasian woman developed recurrent episodes of erythematous tender plaques on her trunk six weeks after commencement of the oral contraceptive (OC). Her condition clinically and histologically resembled Sweet's dermatosis. On cessation of the OC there was complete resolution of her lesions and she remains well 12 months later. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a neutrophilic reaction to the oral contraceptive, and we believe that drugs may be implicated in the aetiology of atypical neutrophilic reactions simulating Sweet's syndrome in patients who are otherwise well.