Is benzyl alcohol a significant contact sensitizer? 2022

J Geier, and B Ballmer-Weber, and T Buhl, and J Rieker-Schwienbacher, and V Mahler, and H Dickel, and S Schubert, and
Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), Institute at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

BACKGROUND Benzyl alcohol is a widely used preservative, solvent and fragrance material. According to published data, it is a rare sensitizer in humans. OBJECTIVE 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. 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.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010328 Patch Tests Skin tests in which the sensitizer is applied to a patch of cotton cloth or gauze held in place for approximately 48-72 hours. It is used for the elicitation of a contact hypersensitivity reaction. Patch Testing,Patch Test,Patch Testings,Test, Patch,Testing, Patch,Testings, Patch,Tests, Patch
D010476 Perfume A substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, especially a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)
D011310 Preservatives, Pharmaceutical Substances added to pharmaceutical preparations to protect them from chemical change or microbial action. They include ANTI-BACTERIAL AGENTS and antioxidants. Pharmaceutic Aids (Preservatives),Pharmaceutic Preservative,Pharmaceutic Preservatives,Pharmaceutical Preservative,Pharmaceutical Preservatives,Preservative, Pharmaceutic,Preservative, Pharmaceutical,Preservatives, Pharmaceutic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000485 Allergens Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). Allergen
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D015203 Reproducibility of Results The statistical reproducibility of measurements (often in a clinical context), including the testing of instrumentation or techniques to obtain reproducible results. The concept includes reproducibility of physiological measurements, which may be used to develop rules to assess probability or prognosis, or response to a stimulus; reproducibility of occurrence of a condition; and reproducibility of experimental results. Reliability and Validity,Reliability of Result,Reproducibility Of Result,Reproducibility of Finding,Validity of Result,Validity of Results,Face Validity,Reliability (Epidemiology),Reliability of Results,Reproducibility of Findings,Test-Retest Reliability,Validity (Epidemiology),Finding Reproducibilities,Finding Reproducibility,Of Result, Reproducibility,Of Results, Reproducibility,Reliabilities, Test-Retest,Reliability, Test-Retest,Result Reliabilities,Result Reliability,Result Validities,Result Validity,Result, Reproducibility Of,Results, Reproducibility Of,Test Retest Reliability,Validity and Reliability,Validity, Face
D017449 Dermatitis, Allergic Contact A contact dermatitis due to allergic sensitization to various substances. These substances subsequently produce inflammatory reactions in the skin of those who have acquired hypersensitivity to them as a result of prior exposure. Allergic Contact Dermatitis,Dermatitis, Allergic Eczematous,Dermatitis, Contact, Allergic,Allergic Contact Dermatitides,Allergic Eczematous Dermatitides,Allergic Eczematous Dermatitis,Contact Dermatitides, Allergic,Contact Dermatitis, Allergic,Dermatitides, Allergic Contact,Dermatitides, Allergic Eczematous,Eczematous Dermatitides, Allergic,Eczematous Dermatitis, Allergic
D019905 Benzyl Alcohol A colorless liquid with a sharp burning taste and slight odor. It is used as a local anesthetic and to reduce pain associated with LIDOCAINE injection. Also, it is used in the manufacture of other benzyl compounds, as a pharmaceutic aid, and in perfumery and flavoring. Benzenemethanol,Alcohol, Benzyl

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