A cresol compound may be used as a preservative in some drug preparations. A patient may develop an allergy to the cresol resulting in contact dermatitis or a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.
(1) The patient develops an allergic reaction to all drug preparations containing a cresol compound. This may consist of a skin rash and/or systemic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
(2) The patient does not react to the same medication prepared without cresol.
(3) The patient will show a positive patch test to the cresol compound.
The presence of cresol can explain some adverse reactions to injectable insulin preparations.
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