Benzyl alcohol allergy: importance of patch testing with personal products

Abstract

Benzyl alcohol is a weak sensitizer found in a wide array of plants and plant products, foods, cosmetics, and medications. Delayed contact dermatitis reactions as well as immediate, urticarial, and systemic reactions have been reported to occur with its use in these various formulations. We present the case of a woman with allergic contact dermatitis from benzyl alcohol and provide a brief review of allergy to this chemical.