Polyethylene Glycol: An Antifungal Agent

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) is a polymer compound extracted from crude oil with numerous applications, in particular in medical and industrial production. PEG is sometimes referred to as polyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylylene, depending on its specific molecular weight. The molecular structure of PEG is usually expressed as H− weighed OH. H is a simpler element than glucose, whose chemical formula is C 6 H 6 O.

peg can act as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, antifungal and antimicrobial agent, antiseptic and styptic and as a mild oxidizer. It has good insect repellent properties, antimicrobial and antifungal activity. The styptic and antiseptic effect of polyethylene glycol helps to kill microorganisms that cause infection in food processing equipment. It also helps to kill yeast and mould that may be growing in the food preparation process.

Polyethylene glycol can be used as a buffer, in textile fibres, in plastic wraps, in petroleum jelly and in paper towels to remove stains and oils. It has low permeability for use in textile wraps, packaging and pharmaceutical packaging. It maintains its elasticity and reduces swelling and stretch marks in various materials. Polyethylene glycol can be formulated in aqueous form as solutions, in water-soluble and insoluble forms and in liquid or semi-viscous forms.

Polyethylene glycol can have severe adverse effects on patients with kidney and heart disease, and pregnant women. It can cause temporary paralysis of lips, eyes, scalp and face in high concentration. Ingestion of small amounts can cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea in most patients. Patients with liver disease or diabetes should not use this medication. It is believed that patients using oral therapies might be at risk of developing allergic reactions to polyethylene glycol, which can result in severe dermatitis and skin rash.

Polyethylene glycol can also cause severe and dangerous reactions in patients with severe respiratory disease. It can cause coughing and wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, chest pain, vomiting, increased heart rate and rapid weight loss. The reaction can progress to pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation in lungs and pulmonary failure. Some patients with a history of allergies to peanuts and cereal grains have reported experiencing anaphylactic shock, urticaria, depression, mental confusion and fainting. A case report describing a patient with severe reactions to polyethylene glycol involved a woman who was unable to eat after drinking a meal due to severe itching and swallowing problems.

To minimize the risk of anaphylaxis, it is recommended that people with a history of peanut and cereal allergies look for the symptoms on time and avoid exposure to them. Polyethylene Glycol can only pass through the upper respiratory tract and cannot reach the stomach or the intestines, making it a likely cause of oral challenge. It has been found that intraluminal infusion may be effective for patients who have allergic responses to polyethylene glycol, but it should always be considered as an option for those with acute allergic reactions only. Oral immunotherapy has proven to be effective for many patients, even after the first reaction, when the drug's activity becomes apparent after the immune system has been stimulated by an antigen. Intravenous immunotherapy to fight infection has also been used for patients with chronic bacterial infections that resist antibiotics.