Carboxymethylcellulose allergy and tolerance by how it is given
What it found
In one person with a confirmed carboxymethylcellulose allergy, the reaction depended on how the substance was given.
The person tolerated it by mouth and in eye drops, but a nasal test triggered asthma and rhinitis.
What they found
Studies in people
Allergy confirmed in patient
Skin tests and basophil activation tests with carboxymethylcellulose were positive. This confirmed IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to carboxymethylcellulose in the patient.
Tolerance by how it is given
The patient tolerated carboxymethylcellulose by mouth and in eye drops containing it. A nasal provocation test caused asthma exacerbation and rhinitis.
Route-dependent tolerance
Tolerance of carboxymethylcellulose appears to depend on how it is given. The authors say provocation tests through various routes are essential for assessing tolerance and giving appropriate recommendations.
What the authors conclude
“Tolerance of CMC appears to be route-dependent.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that tolerance of CMC appears to be route-dependent.
- They advise that provocation tests with CMC through various routes of administration are essential for assessing tolerance and providing appropriate recommendations for patients with CMC allergy.
How it was done
Avoiding carboxymethylcellulose is hard for people allergic to it because it is used so widely. The authors wanted to see whether tolerance depends on how it is given.
They did skin tests, basophil activation tests, and oral and nasal provocation tests with carboxymethylcellulose in one patient with a confirmed allergy. They also reviewed other published cases of carboxymethylcellulose allergy, looking at tolerance through non-injectable routes.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a single case report, so the results may not apply to other people with carboxymethylcellulose allergy.
- The review of other cases cannot show how common each type of reaction is.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Strasbourg University Hospital, France; University Hospital of Strasbourg, France; University of Strasbourg, France
The paper
- Title
- A case report of carboxymethylcellulose allergy: exploring tolerance based on administration route
- Type
- Case report
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Piotin A, Poirot A, Wurm M, et al (2025). A case report of carboxymethylcellulose allergy: exploring tolerance based on administration route. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology. doi:10.1080/08923973.2025.2469214PubMed 39980337DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error