Patch testing with alkyl glucosides: Concomitant reactions are common but not ubiquitous. (21st December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhoyrul, Bevin; Solman, Lea; Kirk, Stephen; Orton, David; Wilkinson, Mark
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 80:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 286
• Page End: 290
• Publication Date: 2018-12-21
• Subjects: alkyl glucoside -- allergic contact dermatitis -- caprylyl/capryl glucoside -- cetearyl glucoside -- coco glucoside -- cosmetic -- decyl glucoside -- lauryl glucoside -- patch test; Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.13186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Alkyl glucosides contitute a family of mild surfactants that are increasingly being used in a wide range of cosmetics and household products. Contact allergy to alkyl glucosides may be more frequent than previously suspected, especially in atopic patients. Objectives: To investigate the frequency of contact allergy to alkyl glucosides, and to identify concomitant reactivity. Method: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in which patients were patch tested with either a cosmetic series that includes five alkyl glucosides (decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco glucoside, cetearyl glucoside, and caprylyl/capryl glucoside) or a specific alkyl glucoside series from November 2013 to April 2017 in two UK centres. Results: A total of 5775 patients were patch tested across the two centres. Twenty‐nine (1.04%) of the 2796 patients tested with the cosmetic/alkyl glucoside series had a positive patch test reaction to at least one of the alkyl glucosides. Twenty‐three (79.3%) patients were sensitized to multiple alkyl glucosides; 21 patients (72.4%) were female. The mean age was 43.5 years. Twelve patients (41.4%) had a background of atopic dermatitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of alkyl glucoside‐induced ACD is relatively high, and there are frequent concomitant reactions between different alkyl glucosides. We recommend the inclusion of alkyl glucosides in all cosmetic series.