The side effects of propylene glycol are listed in this article. In recent years, there has been much concern and confusion about the chemical compound known as propylene glycol. It is literally found in thousands of products in varying amounts, and some people claim that it is completely harmless, while others consider it carcinogenic. The truth about propylene glycol is a bit complicated and research on this substance is limited. Read on to find out the side effects of propylene glycol Everything we need to know about propylene glycol.
Propylene glycol is literally used as a skin moisturizer and emollient in thousands of personal care products. It can be very useful to deal with dryness and improve the overall texture of the skin. Although generally considered safe, it is not suitable for everyone. Cosmetic grade propylene glycol is considered safe and possibly non-toxic by large organizations such as the Environmental Working Group. Therefore, for most people, its presence in lotions is usually not a concern. But it can irritate the skin of some people and cause an allergic reaction, especially if they have sensitive skin from the beginning. If you notice redness, irritation or itching after using a product containing propylene glycol, stop using it and contact your dermatologist. You may have a skin allergy to this substance. If you buy a product containing propylene glycol, test it on a small area of your skin before use. If redness, irritation or itching does not occur in the test area after 24 hours, you are safe with this substance. A common adverse reaction to propylene glycol involves mild skin irritation, including redness. This usually happens in people who are allergic to the chemical and it subsides shortly after the body has had a chance to break down the compound. In contact with the eyes and face, propylene glycol can also be irritating and cause mild conjunctivitis.
Propylene glycol is used in many IV medicines, including lorazepam, a drug that reduces anxiety and seizures. It is often prescribed to patients with extensive burns as a sedative during the healing process or to the mentally ill. When lorazepam is prescribed for a long time in high doses, doctors have seen possible kidney problems in the form of increased creatinine levels in the blood. In general, creatinine (a product of muscle breakdown and growth) flows at a constant level in the blood. Excess creatinine is a sign that the kidneys are not able to process compounds at a normal rate. People who currently have poor kidney function are unlikely to be able to process propylene glycol efficiently and should avoid exposure if possible. On the plus side, propylene glycol may actually be able to protect your liver from damage from the common headache drug acetaminophen.
Be careful when using this substance during and after pregnancy to ensure the health of your children. Babies cannot break down the substance as quickly as adults. This is because of the enzyme pathways that are still developing at birth. The growth period can last from six months to four years. Before these enzyme pathways can fully develop, parents should avoid eating or exposing themselves to many potentially harmful chemicals for their children, and pregnant mothers should do the same.
When taken orally, it is present in a number of people with varying degrees of nervousness, including seizures and other severe psychological symptoms. Of course, these people may be allergic to this substance. When propylene glycol is used instead of ethylene glycol in antifreeze products, it is considered a “non-toxic antifreeze.” Many people because of the presence of this substance in antifreeze (a substance used for air conditioning) And they are very worried about using it in their food, which has caused a lot of excitement in recent years. Many people fear the connection between antifreeze and food, although propylene glycol simply lowers the freezing point of water (just like salt) and only enters antifreeze products to replace hazardous chemicals. According to the Environment Working Group, the set of research on this material is considered “fair”. It ranks propylene glycol “3” on its Health Concern Scale, meaning that the risk it poses is relatively low. This substance is not bioaccumulation. This means that at normal doses or exposure to propylene glycol, in people with healthy kidney and liver function, it breaks down in the body within 48 hours and does not accumulate over time, causing toxicity in the body. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified propylene glycol as “generally safe” from a toxicological point of view. A comprehensive report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the effects and potential toxicity of propylene glycol found no major health concerns.