Is benzyl alcohol a significant contact sensitizer?. (25th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Geier, J.; Ballmer‐Weber, B.; Buhl, T.; Rieker‐Schwienbacher, J.; Mahler, V.; Dickel, H.; Schubert, S.
• Other Names: Baron Jens Malte investigator.; Grabbe Jürgen investigator.; Siedlecki Katharina investigator.; Strom Kerstin investigator.; Hartmann Karin investigator.; Worm Margitta investigator.; Simon Dagmar investigator.; Effendy Isaak investigator.; Dickel Heinrich investigator.; Fartasch Manigé investigator.; Vieluf Dieter investigator.; Beiteke Ulrike investigator.; Bauer Andrea investigator.; Koch André investigator.; Wagner Nicola investigator.; Dissemond Joachim investigator.; Gina Michal investigator.; Szliska Christiane investigator.; Grunwald‐Delitz Heidrun investigator.; Kränke Birger investigator.; Jünger Michael investigator.; Buhl Timo investigator.; Kreft Burkhard investigator.; Witte Jana investigator.; Schröder Claudia investigator.; Werfel Thomas investigator.; Schäkel Knut investigator.; Weisshaar Elke investigator.; Löffler Harald investigator.; Pföhler Claudia investigator.; Schliemann Sibylle investigator.; Spring Philipp investigator.; Treudler Regina investigator.; Angelova‐Fischer Irena investigator.; Nestoris Stefan investigator.; Recke Andreas investigator.; Becker Detlef investigator.; Nicolay Jan investigator.; Pfützner Wolfgang investigator.; Stadler Rudolf investigator.; Rueff Franziska investigator.; Coras‐Stepanek Brigitte investigator.; Brockow Knut investigator.; Brehler Randolf investigator.; Baur Vera investigator.; Raap Ulrike investigator.; Skudlik Christoph investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Volume 36:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 866
• Page End: 872
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0926-9959

Abstract

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.