Allergen
Safety Helmet
This important piece of equipment for biking, sports, construction, and certain occupations saves lives but can be a real challenge for skin. Some of the more problematic materials include:
- Rubber (and therefore thiuram), elastics, and latex
- Dyes bright colors as well as black or dark colors which may contain PPD
- Acetaophenone Azine in EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam
- Nickel from metal parts
- Benzophenones
- Formaldehyde-releasers and other preservatives
Reactions can start out on and around the areas of most contact but there can be a widespread extension of the initial dermatitis. In addition to allergic contact dermatitis (confirmed by a patch test), irritant contact dermatitis can also occur, such as from sweating inside the helmet or from the constant rubbing of the helmet materials against the skin and scalp (or all of the above).
Contact acne from the repetitive friction and prolonged exposure to allergens can occur (especially if you use products with comedogens). Malassezia folliculitis (sweat “acne”) tends to be common: the humid, sweaty environment can encourage a hypergrowth of the Malassezia. While this fungus lives naturally in our skins as part of our microbiome, Malassezia feeds on sweat and can proliferate in very sweaty conditions. Bacteria build-up can also contribute to acne.
People with psoriasis can also experience a worsening of their seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis due to the trauma and the prolonged contact with allergens and irritants in the hot, humid environment.
Another thing to look out for: irritants and photo-allergens like bleach in disinfecting solutions. In addition to an irritant reaction, darkening of the skin can follow and become persistent.
A type of hair loss called traction alopecia may also occur. This type of hair loss is due to repetitive stress on the scalp such as from constantly wearing your hear in a ponytail or bun (hence “ballerina baldness”), from hair extensions or braids, very long hair pulling at your scalp, and other stressors of the hair root.
It’s worth emphasizing that the heat, increased sweating, and mechanical stress can harm the skin in many ways, including creating abrasions, erosions, and small breaks in the skin. This can harm the skin’s important barrier layer which can, among other things, disrupt the skin’s microbiota and/or be welcoming to opportunistic microbes (leading to more types of infections). The compromised barrier plus constant allergen exposure can also increase the risk of contact allergies and other problems.
Some things that might help:
- Get a patch test to confirm suspicions.
- Wear a bandana, do rag, or skull cap under your helmet. Choose one in white, a pale color, or one that’s totally uncolored. You want a non-stretchy material — certified organic, unbleached pure cotton cloth or another natural fabric is your best bet. Ideally, the cloth covers your forehead, head, ears, and neck.
- A purely mineral, non-comedogenic barrier-protective product like Stay-On-Point! or Armada Baby or Post-Procedure to minimize contact may also help.
- Clean your helmet liner and padding regularly but try using allergen-free laundry soap like Fawn & Launder or even one of our hair and body shampoos. In between washes, you can spray with Essence Skin-Saving Antiperspirant or Stay Fresh-ener (in the USA) to keep your helmet drier or Instant, No-Rinse Hypoallergenic Brush Cleaner for a more thorough in-between laundry clean (but it needs some minutes to dry). Both contain monolaurin to keep microbes at bay.
- TOP TIP: spray Essence Antiperspirant or Stay Fresh-ener on your scalp again right before bed for better absorption into the sweat pores!
- Choose allergen-free, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic formulations for all your personal care products — hair care, cleanser, skincare, makeup … everything.
- Most VMV Hypoallergenics products also contain coconut-derived monolaurin, a non-allergenic, microbiota-friendly broad-spectrum antimicrobial to help with the wide range of possible infections.
- Massage Know-It-Oil or Oil’s Well through your scalp to help deal with infections while keeping the balance of your scalp’s microbiome.
Subscribe to VMVinSKIN.com and our YouTube channel for more hypoallergenic tips and helpful “skinformation”!
If you have a history of sensitive skin…
…don’t guess! Random trial and error can cause more damage. Ask your dermatologist about a patch test.
To shop our selection of hypoallergenic products, visit vmvhypoallergenics.com. Need help? Ask us in the comments section below, or for more privacy (such as when asking us to customize recommendations for you based on your patch test results) contact us by email, or drop us a private message on Facebook.
For more:
- On the prevalence of skin allergies, see Skin Allergies Are More Common Than Ever.
- For the difference between irritant and allergic reactions, see It’s Complicated: Allergic Versus Irritant Reaction.
- For the difference between food, skin, and other types of reactions: see Skin & Food Allergies Are Not The Same Thing.
- On the differences between hypoallergenic, natural, and organic, check out Is Natural Hypoallergenic? and this video in our YouTube channel.
- To learn about the VH-Rating System and hypoallergenicity: What Is The Validated Hypoallergenic Rating System?
Main References:
Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (based on over 28,000 patch test results, combined), plus other studies. Remember, we are all individuals — just because an ingredient is not on the most common allergen lists does not mean you cannot be sensitive to it, or that it will not become an allergen. These references, being based on so many patch test results, are a good basis but it is always best to get a patch test yourself.
- DeKoven JG, Silverberg JI, Warshaw EM, Atwater AR, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2017-2018. Dermatitis. 2021 Mar-Apr 01;32(2):111-123.
- DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Zug KA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2015-2016. Dermatitis. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(6):297-309.
- DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results 2013-2014. Dermatitis. 2017 Jan/Feb;28(1):33-46.
- Warshaw, E.M., Maibach, H.I., Taylor, J.S., et al. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012. Dermatitis. 2015; 26: 49-59.
- W Uter et al. The European Baseline Series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006–Results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Contact Dermatitis 61 (1), 31-38.7 2009.
- Wetter, DA et al. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: An analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Nov;63(5):789-98.
- Warshaw EM, Buonomo M, DeKoven JG, et al. Importance of Supplemental Patch Testing Beyond a Screening Series for Patients With Dermatitis: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Dec 1;157(12):1456-1465.
- Verallo-Rowell VM. The validated hypoallergenic cosmetics rating system: its 30-year evolution and effect on the prevalence of cosmetic reactions. Dermatitis 2011 Apr; 22(2):80-97.
- Ruby Pawankar et al. World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary.
- Misery L et al. Sensitive skin in the American population: prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;50(8):961-7.
- Warshaw EM1, Maibach HI, Taylor JS, Sasseville D, DeKoven JG, Zirwas MJ, Fransway AF, Mathias CG, Zug KA, DeLeo VA, Fowler JF Jr, Marks JG, Pratt MD, Storrs FJ, Belsito DV. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012.Dermatitis. 2015 Jan-Feb;26(1):49-59.
- Warshaw, E et al. Allergic patch test reactions associated with cosmetics: Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2001-2004. J AmAcadDermatol 2009;60:23-38.
- Foliaki S et al. Antibiotic use in infancy and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children 6 and 7 years old: International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase III. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Nov;124(5):982-9.
- Kei EF et al. Role of the gut microbiota in defining human health. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Apr; 8(4): 435–454.
- Thavagnanam S et al. A meta-analysis of the association between Caesarean section and childhood asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008;38(4):629–633.
- Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 1998 to 2000. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):59-62.
- Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, Taylor JS, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2009 to 2010. Dermatitis. 2013;24(2):50-99.
- Verallo-Rowell V. M, Katalbas S.S. & Pangasinan J. P. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 16,51 (2016) . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-016-0630-9.
- Park G, Oh DS, Lee MG, Lee CE, Kim YU. 6-Shogaol, an active compound of ginger, alleviates allergic dermatitis-like skin lesions via cytokine inhibition by activating the Nrf2 pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2016 Nov 1;310:51-59. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.08.019. Epub 2016 Aug 22. PMID: 27562088.
- de Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy, Volume II – Fragrances and Essential Oils. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group; 2019.
- De Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy Volume I. Non-Fragrance Allergens in Cosmetics (Part I and Part 2). Boca Raton, Fl, USA: CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2018.
- Zhu TH, Suresh R, Warshaw E, et al. The Medical Necessity of Comprehensive Patch Testing. Dermatitis. 2018 May/Jun;29(3):107-111.
Want more great information on contact dermatitis? Check out the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermnet New Zealand, the Contact Dermatitis Institute, and your country’s contact dermatitis association.
Laura is our “dew”-good CEO at VMV Hypoallergenics and eldest daughter of VMV’s founding dermatologist-dermatopathologist. She has two children, Madison and Gavin, and works at VMV with her sister CC and husband Juan Pablo (Madison and Gavin frequently volunteer their “usage testing” services). In addition to saving the world’s skin, Laura is passionate about health, inclusion, cultural theory, human rights, happiness, and spreading (like a VMV cream!) goodness!