Patch Testing to Ethylhexylglycerin: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2013-2018.

BACKGROUND

Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG) is a recently recognized contact allergen.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the study were to characterize individuals with positive patch test reactions to EHG and to analyze reaction strength, clinical relevance, and allergen sources.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective analysis of the patients patch tested to EHG (5% petrolatum) by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (2013-2018).

RESULTS

Of 15,560 patients tested to EHG, 39 (0.25%) had positive (final interpretation of "allergic") reactions. Most were female (71.8%) and/or older than 40 years (76.9%). There were no statistically significant differences between age, sex, or atopic history when compared with EHG-negative patients. The most common anatomic sites of dermatitis were the face (28.2%) and scattered generalized distribution (25.6%). Most EHG-positive reactions were + (35.9%) or ++ (33.3%). Current clinical relevance was high (79.5%); none, however, were related to occupation. Personal care products were the most common source of exposure to EHG (59.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ethylhexylglycerin is a rare contact allergen; the positive frequency of 0.25% is similar to other low allergenic preservatives including parabens, benzyl alcohol, and phenoxyethanol. The patch test concentration of 5.0% seems to be nonirritating. Although relatively uncommon, EHG reactions were usually clinically relevant (79.5%), often because of moisturizers/lotions/creams.