Allergy to polyethylene glycol what do... - Allergic to Glycols

Allergic to Glycols

Allergy to polyethylene glycol what does that mean for other glycols

2dog5 profile image
12 Replies

Hi I had anaphylaxis last week to an arthritis medication and I have been diagnosed as having a polyethylene glycol allergy. What I don't know is does this mean I am also allergic to other glycols like propylene glycol?

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2dog5
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12 Replies
findtheanswernow profile image
findtheanswernow

I’ve always been told they’re similar, if you’re allergic to one you’re probably allergic to both PG and PEG. My son has reactions to both, although he was only confirmed through testing as allergic to PG. there are a zillion different names beyond just PG and PEG.

2dog5 profile image
2dog5 in reply tofindtheanswernow

Thanks just learning all this

Kerry_McIntyre profile image
Kerry_McIntyre

E-mail me at kerrykuzak@mail.com and I will send you a paper it wrote entitled "Living with a PG/PEG Allergy".

2dog5 profile image
2dog5 in reply toKerry_McIntyre

Thanks

Shiloh1 profile image
Shiloh1

I am highly allergic to PEG but not propylene glycol. PEG allergy is difficult to live with because PEG is in so many products, it does not have a standard naming convention, it is designated as generally accepted as safe by the FDA, typically classified as an inert ingredient in medications, and knowledge of PEG allergies in the medical community is low. You have to get up to speed on how to quickly and accurately check products for PEG content. As an example, some extra strength tylenol has PEG and others do not. Also, manufacturers change their formulations, so just because you had a contrast dye last year safely does not mean the same name contrast dye is still safe. Make sure your pharmacist has a note in your record about your allergy. Pharmacists are your new best friends. Find a good one you can trust as, progressing through life, you will be prescribed new medications, all of which must he checked for PEG content. Understand how widespread PEG is. Some vape cigarettes use PEG as the fluid. I have reacted with pruritus (itching) visiting a vape store. The Moderna and Phizer vaccines against Covid 19 contain PEG, about 20,000 incidents of post vaccination anaphylaxis reported. The others approved for emergency use contain the structurally similar polysorbate 80. CDC guidelines say those with hypersensitivities to vaccine constituents are contraindicated from getting the vaccines.

Children’s Health Defense is seeking to increase awareness of the issues of PEG in vaccines. For 10 bucks, you can be a lifetime member. They provide daily updates on issues like this. I have a congressional investigation ongoing to try to get FDA to reclassify PEG. I also started a Change.org petition you and others may be interested in signing: chng.it/RVN6YwjJ

2dog5 profile image
2dog5 in reply toShiloh1

Thanks for that info it is certainly complicated. I had the Astra Zeneca vaccine and I was fine so hopefully the second one will be ok

gothchiq profile image
gothchiq

There's no guarantee, but a good chance that you are. Talk to an allergist if you can afford it or insurance will pay.

2dog5 profile image
2dog5 in reply togothchiq

Thanks yes I’ve seen an immunologist and I am waiting for him to send me a list but he didn’t mention propylene glycol so waiting for his list.

Rissa_L profile image
Rissa_L

How did they test for the allergen? I’m afraid to do a skin test for it

2dog5 profile image
2dog5 in reply toRissa_L

It was the only potential allergen in the drug they couldn’t skin prick me because the risk of anaphylaxis was too high

Rissa_L profile image
Rissa_L in reply to2dog5

Ahh ok. Might have to get testing for components in the vaccine I took but I hope it’s blood work. I dont think they’d do a skin prick test on PEG on me since I had anaphylaxis

PegAllergy profile image
PegAllergy in reply toRissa_L

I was told there is no skin test for PEG

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