Related Experiment Videos
Fixed drug eruption from sodium benzoate.
1Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, Hospital Clinic, C/Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. 12164jvv@comb.es
Contact Dermatitis
|March 18, 2004
Summary
Sodium benzoate in syrup can cause fixed drug eruptions, a type of allergic skin reaction. A patient showed positive patch and provocation tests, confirming the link between the ingredient and the eruption.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Fixed drug eruptions (FDEs) are localized, recurrent cutaneous reactions to specific medications.
- Identifying the causative agent is crucial for managing FDEs and preventing recurrence.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a fixed drug eruption.
- The patient had ingested a syrup containing sodium benzoate prior to the eruption.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited a positive reaction to a patch test with sodium benzoate.
- A delayed positive reaction (15 hours post-ingestion) was observed in a provocation test.
- Notably, the patch test was negative in an area with previous FDE lesions, suggesting localized hypersensitivity.
Implications:
- Sodium benzoate should be considered a potential trigger for fixed drug eruptions.
- Diagnostic testing, including patch and provocation tests, can confirm drug-induced FDEs.
- Understanding localized hypersensitivity in FDEs is important for accurate diagnosis and patient counseling.