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

Abstract

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.