Sodium Benzoate as an Emerging but Problematic Allergen: Retrospective Analysis of Patch Test Results in 3198 Cases Underlines the Need for an Improved Test Preparation, as Even Dubious Reactions May Be Clinically Relevant

This series reaffirms that sodium benzoate is an important allergen which should be included in bakery/cheilitis, fragrance and facial series in addition to benzoic acid and Myroxylon pereirae, with which it occasionally cross-reacts. However, it is tricky to test and its reactions are difficult to interpret-underlining the need to refine the preparation used for patch testing.