High Frequency of Sensitisation to Decyl and Lauryl Glucoside in Routine Patch Testing in the Netherland.

Abstract

Background: Contact allergy to the alkyl glucosides decyl and lauryl glucoside is increasingly recognized.

Objectives: To determine the frequencies of sensitization to decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside, to assess changes over the study period, to characterize their co-reactivity pattern, to evaluate the clinical relevance of positive reactions and to investigate whether patients with an atopic history had an increased likelihood of sensitization.

Materials and methods: Retrospective study of routine testing with decyl glucoside 5% pet. and lauryl glucoside 3% pet. in a cohort of 4343 patients patch tested between 1 November 2019 and 5 January 2026.

Results: Positivity rates were 3.5% for decyl and 3.1% for lauryl glucoside; 5.2% of the patients reacted to at least one glucoside. Doubtful reactions (?+) were common (decyl glucoside 2.5%; lauryl glucoside 3.1%). 1.9% of the total cohort had reactions considered certainly or probably clinically relevant. Co-reactivity between decyl and lauryl glucoside occurred in 40%-47% of positive patients, and atopic history was associated with modestly increased odds of positivity.

Conclusions: Contact allergy to alkyl glucosides was frequent in our patch test population. A substantial proportion of doubtful reactions and the virtual absence of strongly positive reactions suggest that the glucoside patch test materials used have irritant properties.