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Geier, J; Ballmer-Weber, B; Buhl, T; Rieker-Schwienbacher, J; Mahler, V; Dickel, H; Schubert, S, , IVDK.
Is benzyl alcohol a significant contact sensitizer?
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022; 36(6): 866-872. Doi: 10.1111/jdv.17968
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Study Group Members Med Uni Graz:: Kränke Birger
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Abstract:: BACKGROUND: Benzyl alcohol is a widely used preservative, solvent and fragrance material. According to published data, it is a rare sensitizer in humans. OBJECTIVES: To identify characteristics and sensitization patterns of patients with positive patch test reactions to benzyl alcohol and to check the reliability of the patch test preparation benzyl alcohol 1% pet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2010-2019. RESULTS: Of 70 867 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol 1% pet., 146 (0.21%) showed a positive reaction, most of them (89%) only weakly positive. The number of doubtful and irritant reactions significantly exceeded the number of positive reactions. Reproducibility of positive test reactions was low. Among benzyl alcohol-positive patients, compared to benzyl alcohol-negative patients, there were significantly more patients with leg dermatitis (17.8% vs. 8.6%), more patients aged 40 years or more (81.5% vs. 70.5%) and more patients who were tested because of a suspected intolerance reaction to topical medications (34.9% vs. 16.6%). Concomitant positive reactions were mainly seen to fragrances, preservatives and ointment bases. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to benzyl alcohol occurs very rarely, mainly in patients with stasis dermatitis. In view of our results, benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen, and therefore marking it as skin sensitizer 1B and labelling it with H 317 is not helpful.
Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing): Allergens - adverse effects; Benzyl Alcohol - adverse effects; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - epidemiology, etiology; Humans - administration & dosage; Patch Tests - methods; Perfume - adverse effects; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical - adverse effects; Reproducibility of Results - administration & dosage; Retrospective Studies - administration & dosage