Skin prick testing

[Limelight3]

Hi! I have had reactions to miralax and also medications that contain polysorbate 80 so I went in to be tested today. The 3 different strengths of miralax or polyethylene glycol were tested. The first was negative. The second two stronger ones I did develop a bump but very small, with the highest strength being the largest bump. My allergist said that there is a criteria that the bump has to be a certain size to be considered positive but it did look like I was irritated by the stronger dose. I’m confused, that should be a positive result if it looks irritated right? She did tell me to avoid high length PEG like miralax based on my reaction when I drank it but said I would prob be ok with smaller doses. I’m just curious if anyone else had skin prick tests with ambiguous results? My polysorbate came back negative but I am still avoiding bc I had a horrible reaction to nexium that contains it.

[Nancy2k]

Welcome here, good place for good info.I'm in this case too. I can take peg 80 but peg 3350 like miralax make anaphylaxy.On the prick test, I make a big skin react, 2 inch but it was after 30 min.

The doctor did an other test with needle underskin and it was really positive (anaphylaxy 🙄)

Polysorbate seem ok for me. I did not test it and i recently receive a vaccine with polysorbate (astrazeneca) and it was ok.

So I dont take "little" peg if I can avoid it but if i would not have choice for something severe, i will do.

Check all, don't believe anybody who tell you free peg. It's important to check all word u don't know in the list of ingredient.

There is a lot of synonym

Good luck

[Limelight3 in reply to Nancy2k]

Thank you for sharing this. How can I find out if certain ingredients are related to polyethylene glycol? My allergist wanted to do the test where they inject it under your skin but explained there is a small risk of anaphylaxis so I didn’t want to go through with it.

[Nancy2k in reply to Limelight3]

Look on this forum, there is a link somewhere with a big big list. For example, My first reaction was with miralax and after and injection in my shoulder. Later, I make a little reaction with carbomer and a really really big one with poloxamer (oraqix) and for these 2 products, there was no peg on the label.

Unfortunately, You will learn with time and experimentation.

I confirm for the anaphylaxy with the injection underskin but they are prepared to take care of that

[gothchiq]

Check the other ingredients in Nexium to explain your reaction: NEXIUM is supplied in delayed-release capsules and in packets for a delayed-release oral suspension.

Each delayed-release capsule contains 20 mg or 40 mg of esomeprazole (present as 22.3 mg or 44.5 mg esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate) in the form of enteric-coated granules with the following inactive ingredients: glyceryl monostearate 40-55, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer type C, polysorbate 80, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate. The capsule shells have the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, D&C Red #28, titanium dioxide, shellac, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and D&C Yellow #10.

So it has propylene glycol (terrible) and hypromellose, which is a combination of propylene glycol and wood cellulose. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is also suspect. I would bet money if I had any that these ingredients are responsible for the reaction you had.

[Limelight3 in reply to gothchiq]

Thank you for your response. Are these substances related to polyethylene glycol? I’m honestly so confused now reading labels and I’m afraid to take any medications. I have taken Pepcid with no issues.Has anyone else reacted to Nexium on this forum?

[gothchiq in reply to Limelight3]

Glycols are all related. That said, you occasionally get people who react to only certain glycols and not others. Of course, that may change because continued exposure to allergens makes some people react worse over time. I have the worst time trying to get medicines for anything and at my age let's just say that is not good. If you think you react to only some glycols it's worth keeping a list of what you know you have reacted to and a list of what you have tried without reacting to. No it's not fun. I know.

[Shellbi in reply to Limelight3]

Nexium is a no go for me! I can’t quite remember the reaction I had to it but it was bad enough for me to know I will never ingest it in my body again.

[JAG67]

I was just at the allergist and had the skin prick tests for food but they said they would be ordering patches for the “PEG” testing. I ended up in the ER after using Miralax and ended up back there 2 weeks later after eating foods that have never caused a problem before. I’ve been scared to eat. Very thankful to have found an allergist that is working to help me find out what is going on. I hope we both get answers.

[Rissa_L in reply to JAG67]

Are you doing any other PEG related testing? I did a skin prick test but refused intradermal shots of it due to my anaphylactic reaction to it once. I’m trying to look for an allergist anywhere in the US can do any type of other testing. Patch testing seems ok to me though. As long as no needle is going in my skin again with it! Also Im so sorry to hear you went to the ER all those times. I hope you feel better. I too have not been eating well and developed a fear of foods and an eating disorder cause of it. 3+ months in and I thought the skin prick test would be it but my allergist said if I don’t do intradermal then she can’t prove if I do have the allergy to PEG or not. But I just can’t take that risk