{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T14:27:29Z","timestamp":1787840849880,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,27]],"date-time":"2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1740614400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["lww.com","ovid.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly used in dermatology due to its excellent solubility, nontoxic nature, and compatibility with various therapeutic agents. Its applications extend from moisturizing creams to chemical peels, improving skin hydration and facilitating drug delivery. Despite its broad utility, PEG is associated with hypersensitivity reactions, including rare cases of anaphylaxis, that necessitates a thorough assessment of its safety profile. This review evaluates PEG\u2019s therapeutic roles, safety, and dermatological applications, focusing on its pharmacokinetics, chemical properties, and potential adverse effects.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, SciVerse, and EMBASE databases to identify studies on PEG\u2019s dermatological uses, including its role in treating psoriasis, acne, ichthyosis, fungal infections, wound healing, and cosmeceuticals. Studies addressing PEG\u2019s allergenic potential were also reviewed, focusing on cutaneous reactions and rare anaphylactic events. Articles in English, published until June 2024, were included in this narrative review.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>PEG\u2019s emollient and humectant properties make it valuable in treating psoriasis, where it enhances corticosteroid delivery and reduces erythema and scaling. In acne, PEG-based salicylic acid peels offer controlled exfoliation with minimal irritation. PEG\u2019s hydrating properties also benefit ichthyosis and wound healing by maintaining moisture and delivering antibacterial agents. In cosmetics, PEG functions as an emulsifier, surfactant, and conditioner. However, hypersensitivity risks, including urticaria and anaphylaxis, require cautious use, especially for allergy-prone individuals.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>PEG\u2019s properties make it a useful dermatological component, though awareness of hypersensitivity risks is essential for safe clinical use. Further studies are needed to understand PEG-induced hypersensitivity and to guide safety protocols.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.4103\/idoj.idoj_648_24","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,27]],"date-time":"2025-02-27T02:00:16Z","timestamp":1740621616000},"page":"227-234","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/lww.0000000000001000","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["Role of Polyethylene Glycol in Dermatology"],"prefix":"10.4103","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Varniraj","family":"Patel","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujarat, India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vishal","family":"Gaurav","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"276","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"R1-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1038\/jid.1947.31","article-title":"Polyethylene glycol vehicles in dermatology","volume":"8","author":"Maynard","year":"1947","journal-title":"J Invest Dermatol"},{"key":"R2-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1257","DOI":"10.1080\/17425247.2016.1182485","article-title":"Polyethylene glycol (PEG):A versatile polymer for pharmaceutical applications","volume":"13","author":"D'souza","year":"2016","journal-title":"Expert Opin Drug Deliv"},{"key":"R3-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.5487\/TR.2015.31.2.105","article-title":"Safety evaluation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds for cosmetic use","volume":"31","author":"Jang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Toxicol Res"},{"key":"R4-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"906","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2133.2003.05282.x","article-title":"Chemical peeling with salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol vehicle suppresses skin tumour development in hairless mice","volume":"148","author":"Dainichi","year":"2003","journal-title":"Br J Dermatol"},{"key":"R5-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1874","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaip.2019.05.001","article-title":"Polyethylene glycol is a cause of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis","volume":"7","author":"Giavina-Bianchi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract"},{"key":"R6-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"907","DOI":"10.1111\/cea.12760","article-title":"Immediate-type hypersensitivity to polyethylene glycols:A review","volume":"46","author":"Wenande","year":"2016","journal-title":"Clin Exp Allergy"},{"key":"R7-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1623","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drudis.2014.06.002","article-title":"Pharmacokinetics, metabolism and distribution of PEGs and PEGylated proteins:quo vadis?","volume":"19","author":"Baumann","year":"2014","journal-title":"Drug Discov Today"},{"key":"R8-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jconrel.2022.09.031","article-title":"Polyethylene glycol (PEG):The nature, immunogenicity, and role in the hypersensitivity of PEGylated products","volume":"351","author":"Ibrahim","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Control Release"},{"key":"R9-20250227","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.1016\/S0016-5085(19)32196-1","article-title":"Measurements of intestinal permeability using low molecular weight polyethylene glycols (PEG 400). 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