Sodium benzoate
What are the aims of this patient information leaflet?
This leaflet has been written to help you understand more about your contact allergy. It tells you what a contact allergy is, what causes this allergy and what you can do about it.
What is contact allergy?
Dermatitis, also known as eczema, describes a type of inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis or contact eczema is a term used when this inflammation is caused by direct or indirect skin contact with something in your environment. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your immune system causes allergy to a very specific chemical or substance that has been in contact with the skin.
What causes your specific allergy?
Your patch tests indicate that you have a contact allergy to Sodium Benzoate.
What is Sodium Benzoate?
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of Benzoic Acid. It is a naturally occurring preservative that is used to prevent the growth of mould, yeast and bacteria in cosmetic products and some medicines. It is added to some foods and drinks but does not usually cause problems when consumed other than sometimes causing inflammation of the lips/ skin around the mouth.
What are some products that contain Sodium Benzoate?
It is commonly found in products such as:
| Cosmetics/personal care products | Medicines | Foods |
| Hand washes
Shampoos & conditioners Toothpaste Mouthwash Body lotions/moisturisers Face creams Sunscreens Wet wipes Deodorants |
Liquid medications (especially syrups for children)
Cough syrups, antacids Mouthwashes & oral rinses Antifungal creams Acne treatments Eye drops Nasal sprays |
Soft drinks (especially fizzy drinks and squashes)
Fruit juices Pickles and sauces Jams and preserves
|
Self care (what can I do?)
Check the ingredient listing of product, package or package insert for “sodium benzoate” or “E211”. Benzoic acid derivatives occasionally cross react with sodium benzoate – in some cases it may therefore be helpful to also avoid contact with benzoic acid derivatives. If uncertain if a cream/ointment is safe to use or not, you could rub a small amount of the product on a small patch of skin (2cmx2cm) on the inner side of forearm twice a day for 2 weeks to check if it causes redness or not.
Remember, always check the label, these lists can never be complete and ingredients change.
How can I manage my allergy?
This means that you should avoid putting products containing Sodium Benzoate onto your skin in the future.
You should avoid contact on the skin with cosmetics or medicines which contain sodium benzoate in the future. Foods/drinks containing sodium benzoate may sometimes cause eczema of the lips/skin around the mouth if consumed or cause hand dermatitis if working as a food handler/preparer.
Self-care (what can I do?)
Always check the ingredient listing on the product, package or package insert as these lists can never be complete and ingredients change. This is particularly important for any products purchased outside the EU where some allergens may not be banned.