Anaphylactic reaction following administration of nose drops containing benzalkonium chloride.
We describe a case of anaphylactic reaction in a 46-year-old female post application of decongestant nose drops containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC). With some latency, the patient complained of cough, dyspnea, sensation of heat, croakiness and pruritus. Since she showed all of these symptoms, typical of an anaphylactic reaction, we proceeded some weeks later with a prick test with solutions containing BAC, a cationic surfactant commonly used as an antibacterial preservative in many medical solutions. The prick test was positive, confirming the assumption of a hypersensitive reaction to BAC.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Erlangen, Germany. Elke.mezger@uk-erlangen.de
Elke
E
Mezger
Olaf
O
Wendler
Susanne
S
Mayr
Alessandro
A
Bozzato
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds