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The myth of lanolin allergy
Author(s) -
Kligman Albert M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1998.tb05856.x
Subject(s) - lanolin , allergy , contact allergy , wax , allergen , patch test , reputation , patch testing , contact dermatitis , medicine , dermatology , chemistry , immunology , organic chemistry , social science , sociology
Lanolin has the reputation of being an important contact sensitizer. The market place abounds with products that are labeled “lanolin free”. In fact, lanolin is at most a weak contact allergen. The supposed hazards of sensitization to lanolin products are a resultant of faulty science and failure to appreciate the limitations of patch testing. Lanolin allergy is a myth created mainly by overzealous professional patch testers. No one has succeeded in sensitizing animals or humans to lanolin or wool wax alcohols. Most of the case reports are false positives, in association with the angry back syndrome.