INDIGO: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Indigo While disperse blue and many dyes are well known to cause contact dermatitis, and while some allergic reactions to it have been reported, natural indigo is not currently in published lists of top contact allergens. Indigo is also known as Indigo Carmine, Indigotine, and FD&C Blue No. 2. Another important thing […]
GLYCERYL STEARATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Glyceryl Stearate Considering how common this ingredient is in cosmetics and personal care products, that it is not published as a top contact allergen speaks to its safety (the more common an ingredient is, the higher the likelihood of it becoming a contact allergen). Glyceryl stearate is from two other non-allergens glycerin […]
FACE TAPE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Face Tape Whether you’re face taping for the temporary face lift effect (very temporary) or for the style of it (it’s a classic technique among drag performers and celebrities), face tapes tend to have contact allergens that are published as some of the more common. Silicones tend to be fairly well tolerated but, as […]
TRIETHANOLAMINE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Triethanolamine This pH adjuster (a combination of monoethanolamine and diethanolamine) does tend to be in patch test trays and has been known to occasionally elicit allergic reactions but not enough to make it to published lists of top contact allergens. As usual, be guided by your patch test results as your reaction […]
FEMININE WASH, WIPE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Feminine Washes and Wipes Vaginal washes, douches, and wipes tend to be marketed to imply that there is something wrong about a woman’s vulva and vagina (there isn’t). These products therefore usually contain ingredients meant to mask or “correct” the area’s natural, inherent odor (lots of fragrance) or perceived uncleanliness (antibacterial ingredients). Besides being […]
RAZOR: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Razor While “razor” isn’t something you’ll see on your patch test results, there’s a pretty good chance you might see nickel, which has been the number one contact allergen for decades. Nickel was also the 2008 Allergen of the Year of the American Contact Dermatitis Society and is tough to avoid completely because almost all metals have […]
GARDEN, GARDENING: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Garden, Gardening You won’t see these words on a patch test but gardens and gardening involve lots and lots of top contact allergens. The main ones include: Other allergens you might get exposed to such as insects and pollen can be IgE-mediated allergens. While they might not necessarily be skin allergens (unless you also […]
Pro Tip: Layer Your Moisturizers!
Very dry skin? Psoriasis? Eczema? MOB it! MOB = Moisturizer-Oil-Balm. The best dermatologist’s tip for really, really dry skin. Skin can get so dry that it cracks. Besides being really uncomfortable, this is inviting to microbes that can penetrate, cause infections, worsen itching and dryness, and complicate management. Applying moisturizers in strategic layers is an […]
Perimenopause and Skin
With more and more research (finally!) into perimenopause and menopause, women are learning ways to relieve a wider range of symptoms and stay healthier, longer. First: What’s What? Menopause is defined as not menstruating for one year and the time thereafter. Perimenopause lasts years, even decades, often starting at age 47 but sometimes as early […]