SPICES & HERBS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Spices and Herbs Spices and herbs add flavor and brightness and complexity and yumminess to our lives. But, as with plants and flowers, so many are top contact allergens (and top photo-contact allergens — they can react with light to cause skin darkening) that, as a group, spices and herbs would be considered allergens. […]
XYLITOL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Xylitol This natural sugar can be found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Because has around 40% fewer calories and has a lower glycemic index than sugar, and because it is well proven to improve dental health, xylitol is often used as a sugar substitute in some candies, baked goods, breath […]
GYM: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Gyms, Yoga Studios, etc. You can’t patch test a gym so it’s never going to make it to published lists of top contact allergens but most gyms, yoga studios and other fitness environments are a minefield of top contact allergens. Read on to learn what they plus how you can avoid them so that […]
CALCIUM CARBONATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Calcium Carbonate This naturally occurring substance is all around us, such as in pearls, shells, shellfish skeletons, eggshells and rocks (calcite and aragonite minerals). Calcium carbonate also very common as a dietary supplement, in foods, and in cosmetics. All of this makes the fact that it is not on published lists of […]
MERCURY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen, possibly … and a poison Mercury As with lead, while a skin rash or generalized dermatitis is a symptom of mercury poisoning and while mercury is a top contact irritant, it is not listed in published lists of top causes of T-cell mediated contact dermatitis (this might possibly be because its use in cosmetics […]
PILLOWS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Pillows You’re not going to see “pillows” on published contact allergen lists but you’ll probably see quite a few of the materials that go into making them (and their cases)! There are exceptions, of course, but the majority of pillows out there contain the following top contact allergens: The cushy foam and padding can […]
BEETS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Beets, Beetroot This gorgeously hued tuber is a popular ingredient in homemade cosmetics and (yay!) is not a top contact allergen. If using it in homemade colored cosmetics, however, do make sure other allergens or irritants are not in the formulation. Subscribe to VMVinSKIN.com and our YouTube channel for more hypoallergenic tips […]
CORAL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Coral While there are case reports of coral dermatitis, contact dermatitis to corals is relatively rare. These marine invertebrates are in the same family as Cnidaria along with jellyfish and anemones. Similar to those other animals, some corals release toxins and histamines when they come in contact with a foreign body. Some […]
CEMENT (Not Dried): Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Cement, Concrete Occupational contact dermatitis is common among construction workers, especially those who handle wet cement due to the presence of both top contact allergens such as potassium dichromate and corrosive irritants like lime. In fact, contact with cement is the most common cause of contact dermatitis in construction workers. Construction workers sensitive to […]