External Medicine
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Contact Dermatitis
Contact Allergens
Propylene Glycol
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A colorless, odorless, viscous liquid with low toxicity. Used as a solvent, vehicle, and humectant in many products. Found in all kinds of topical OTC and prescription products. Can cause a variety of reactions including allergic and irritant dermatitis, contact urticaria, and systemic contact dermatitis. 29923851
Lalla SC, Nguyen H, Chaudhry H, Killian JM, Drage LA, Davis MDP, Yiannias JA, Hall MR. Patch Testing to Propylene Glycol: The Mayo Clinic Experience. Dermatitis. 2018. PMID: 29923851.
MY SUMMARY: Tested 5, 10, and 20% concentrations. Overall reaction rate was 1.2% (0.85% allergic, 0.35% irritant). Rate was significantly higher with 20% concentration compared to lower concentrations for allergic contact dermatitis. Concentration did not impact irritant contact dermatitis.