Propylene Glycol

An Often Unrecognized Cause of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Patients Using Topical Corticosteroids

Mohammed Al Jasser, MD; Nino Mebuke; Gillian de Gannes, MD, FRCPC

Skin Therapy Letter. 2011;16(5)

Sources of PG

Approximately half of the PG produced is used in the synthesis of other chemicals.^[2] The other half is utilized in the manufacturing of many industrial and personal care products. PG is used as a plasticizer, solvent (in lacquers and varnishes), and as a component in antifreeze products, lubricants, cutting-fluids, and inks. It is found in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, food (for coloring, thickening, and flavoring), and household cleansers. In a recent study by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG), personal care products were found to be the most common sources of exposure to PG (53.8%), followed by topical steroids, and other topical medicaments.^[3]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Next Section

Cite this: Propylene Glycol - Medscape - May 01, 2011.

Table 1. Patch test results to the 2010 North American Contact Dermatitis Group screening series
Ingredient	Day 3 (48 hours)	Day 7
Propylene glycol	++	++
Budesonide	++	++
Lanolin alcohol	++	++
Balsam of Peru	+	+
Glyceryl thioglycolate	-	+

Reactions were graded using a scoring system recommended by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group: + = erythema and papules, ++ = edema or vesicles, +++ = bullae and/or erosions, – = no reaction.

Table 2. Propylene glycol-free topical corticosteroids available in Canada sorted by potency and structural class CR = cream, GL = gel, LO = lotion, OL = Oil, OC = oily cream, OI = ointment, SH = shampoo, SL = solution, SP = spray
Structural class	Class A: Hydrocortisone type	Class B: Triamcinolone acetonide type	Class C: Betamethasone type	Class D1: Betamethasone dipropionate type	Class D2: Methylprednisolone aceponate type
Class 7: Least potent	Hydrocortisone 0.5%, 1% [OI] (Cortoderm®) Hydrocortisone 1%, 2.5% [CR, LO]; 2.5% [SL] (Emo-Cort®)
Class 6: Low potency		Desonide 0.05% [OI] (Desocort®)
Class 5: Lower mid-strength		Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% [OL] (Derma-Smoothe/FS®)		Betamethasone valerate 0.05% [OI] (Betaderm®) Betamethasone valerate 0.05% [CR, LO] (ratio-Ectosone) Betamethasone valerate 0.1% [CR] (Prevex® B, ratio-Ectosone) Betamethasone valerate 0.1% [LO] (Betaderm®, ratio-Ectosone, Valisone®)	Prednicarbate 0.1% [CR] (Dermatop®)
Class 4: Mid-strength		Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% [OI, CR] (Aristocort®) Amcinonide 0.1% [CR, LO] Cyclocort®, ratio-Amcinonide)	Desoximetasone 0.05% [CR] (Topicort®) Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% [CR, OC, OI] (Nerisone®)
Class 3: Upper mid-strength		Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5% [CR] (Aristocort®)		Betamethasone valerate 0.1% [OI] (Betaderm®) Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% [CR] (Diprosone®) Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% [LO] (Diprosone®, ratio-Topisone)
Class 2: High potency		Amcinonide 0.1% [OI] (Cyclocort®, ratio-Amcinonide)	Desoximetasone 0.25% [CR]; 0.05% [GL] (Topicort®)	Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% [OI] (Diprosone®, ratio-Topisone)
Class 1: Superpotent				Clobetasol propionate 0.05% [OI, LO] (ratio-Clobetasol) Clobetasol propionate 0.05% [SL] (Dermovate®) Clobetasol propionate 0.05% [SH, SP] (Clobex®)

Comments

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.