A silicone lubricant is present within syringes to allow for smooth use. If some of this lubricant is injected then some adverse reactions can occur.
Lubricant: dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane)
In general, the lubricant is inert and non-toxic.
If some of the lubricant is injected, then it can result in foreign body granulomas or sclerosing lipogranulomas.
The risk is increased with:
(1) excessive use of the lubricant
(2) repeated injections
(3) displacement of lubricant droplets due to physical agitation of the syringe
(4) presence of an excipient in the drug being injected that allows the lubricant to be emulsified
The diagnosis also requires exclusion of other possible causes for the skin reaction.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Pharmacology, clinical, Emergency Medicine
