The following is a summary of “Patch testing with glucosides: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group experience, 2009-2018,” published in the November 2022 issue of Dermatology by Warshaw, et al.

Nonionic surfactants called alkyl glucosides were being utilized more often in personal care products. For a study, researchers sought to describe the results of positive patch tests for lauryl glucoside (3% petrolatum, tested 2017–2018) and decyl glucoside (5% petrolatum, tested 2009–2018).

Analysis of patients who underwent testing by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group in the past was done.

470 (2.0%) of 24,097 individuals who underwent patch testing for decyl and/or lauryl glucoside had positive responses. Those who tested positive for glucosides had greater probabilities of occupational skin disease (13.4% vs. 10.1%; P =.0207), hay fever history (38.5% vs 31.6%; P =.0014), atopic dermatitis (39.0% vs. 28.6%; P<.0001), and/or asthma (21.8% vs 16.5%; P=.0023) than patients who tested negative for glucosides. The majority of glucoside responses (83.9%) were still relevant today. Personal care items (63%) were the most prevalent source, particularly hair products (16%) and skin cleansers (15.2%). Out of 4,933 patients tested for decyl and lauryl glucoside, 134 (2.7%) were positive for either one or both. Of the decyl-positive patients, 43.4% (43 of 99) also tested positive for lauryl glucoside, and 55.1% (43/78) of the lauryl glucoside-positive patients also tested positive for decyl glucoside.

2.0% of the patients that underwent testing had glucoside positive. Reactions were frequently clinically pertinent and connected to personal care items. Cross-reactivity exceeded 40%.

Reference: jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(22)00788-5/fulltext