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(“BARBIE”) DOLLS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen (“Barbie”) Dolls First, the movie “Barbie” is empowering, important, pretty awesome, and NOT a top contact allergen (among other things, no contact!) Second, “dolls” wouldn’t appear on a patch test tray but many of the components commonly found in typical dolls and accessories would. Enough so that, while there are exceptions (see below), we’re […]
GLYCERIN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Glycerin The classic humectant glycerin (also called glycerol) is naturally occurring and can come from animal or plant fats (the glycerin VMV Hypoallergenics uses is plant derived, usually from coconut oil) and it is not published as a top contact allergen. That it is not a contact allergen is especially impressive considering […]
BATHROOM FIXTURES (Faucets, Shower Knobs, Towel Rods, Flush Buttons, Grab Bars): Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Bathroom Fixtures: Faucets, Shower Knobs, Towel Rods, Flush Buttons, Grab Bars The main contact allergens in bathroom fixtures are nickel, potassium dichromate, and cobalt. Nickel has been the number one contact allergen for many years and is present in most metal objects. Very high-quality metals such as high-end stainless steel reduce the risk of a […]
HOTEL, GYM, SPA, AIRLINE AMENITIES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Hotel, Gym, Spa, Airline Amenities You wouldn’t see these items in a patch test tray as such, but so many product amenities given to customers for free (or provided for their use) in hotels, gyms, spas, and airlines are not hypoallergenic and tend to contain lots of top contact allergens. Some popular amenities include […]
BUDESONIDE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Budesonide Published as a top contact allergen, this glucocorticoid steroid is important to use when prescribed and should not be stopped without first discussing options with your doctor. Budesonide is frequently used as a topical steroid for skin and by inhalation for the management of asthma, non-infectious rhinitis such as hay fever and other […]
COCAMIDE DEA : Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Cocamide DEA The irony. This popular emulsifier and foamer is frequently boasted about as a safer alternative to sulfates, when sulfates like SLS and SLES are non allergens (some can be irritants, highly dependent on concentration) and cocamide DEA is published as a top contact allergen. Another misconception is the belief that the coconut […]
TIN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … but wait Tin Many metals are top contact allergens and the ones that cause the most allergic contact dermatitis are nickel, cobalt, and chromium. As with brass and very high quality stainless steel, assuming the absence (or excellent bonding) of nickel, cobalt, and chromium, tin should be well tolerated and is […]
TITANIUM DIOXIDE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Titanium Dioxide Some allergic reactions have been reported to titanium but not on the skin (more on that below) and titanium dioxide is not listed as a top contact allergen. In fact, both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are popular recommendations for people who have sunscreen allergy. And both are excellent, broad-spectrum […]
FRUIT EXTRACTS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Fruit Extracts Not all fruits — mostly mangoes (due to the cardol, urushiol and limonene in the fruit’s skin and tree’s leaves and bark) and citruses. But there are enough of them that if you see “fruit extract” on a product label and the fruit is not specified in the ingredients list, it’s best […]
