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Patch Testing to Propylene Glycol: The Mayo Clinic Experience
Soogan C Lalla, Henry Nguyen, Hafsa Chaudhry1
1Brown University Internal Medicine Program, Providence, RI.
Background:
Propylene glycol (PG) is a solvent, vehicle, and humectant being used increasingly in a wide array of personal care products, cosmetics, and topical medicaments. Propylene glycol is a recognized source of both allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to report incidence of positive patch tests to PG at Mayo Clinic.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients patch tested to PG from January 1997 to December 2016.
Results:
A total of 11,738 patients underwent patch testing to 5%, 10%, or 20% PG. Of these, 100 (0.85%) tested positive and 41 (0.35%) had irritant reactions. Patients also tested to a mean of 5.6 concomitant positive allergens. The positive reaction rates were 0%, 0.26%, and 1.86% for 5%, 10%, and 20% PG, respectively, increasing with each concentration increase. The irritant reaction rates were 0.95%, 0.24%, and 0.5% for 5%, 10%, and 20% PG, respectively.
Conclusions:
Propylene glycol is common in skin care products and is associated with both allergic and irritant patch test reactions. Increased concentrations were associated with increased reactions.
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