peanut allergy and topical medicines
Last reviewed 10/2022
- a number of licensed topical medicines contain peanut (arachis) oil - this is stated on the medicine ingredients
- there is evidence that children may become sensitised to peanuts via the application of creams containing peanut oil to inflamed skin (1); it has also been shown that small amounts of peanut protein may remain despite the arachis oil having been refined (2)
- in the UK the Committee on Safety of Medicines has recommended that (3)
- patients with known peanut allergy should not use medicines containing peanut oil
- patients allergic to soya should also avoid medicines containing peanut oil since there is a possible link between soya and peanut allergies
Reference:
- N Engl J Med. 2003 Mar 13;348(11):977-85. Epub 2003 Mar 10.
- Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jul;28(7):850-9.
- CMO's Update (August 2003). Department of Health, UK.