JOJOBA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Jojoba Jojoba oil and wax are popular ingredients from the seeds of the Jojoba shrub. Jojoba is lauded as an emollient that can soothe skin, clear pores, and unclog hair follicles, and is not on published lists of common contact allergens. As with all ingredients, however, keep in mind that allergens can be hidden in […]

LATEX: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Latex Not listed as “latex” on published lists of common contact allergens, latex is actually the milky sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Latex makes up the large majority of natural rubber, and rubber is an allergen. Exposure can be from contact with the skin, but also intravenously, through inhalation (from latex in […]

DYES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen…and Photo-Allergen! Dyes While some are safer than others, dyes are definitely on the published lists of most common contact allergens. These include disperse blue dyes (used in a variety of textiles and clothing), which were chosen as the very first Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society in 2000, and paraphenylenediamine or PPD (found in hair dye, cosmetics, […]

ARNICA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Arnica One of the oldest drug plants and still a favorite natural remedy for aches, pain, swelling, sore muscles and arthritis, arnica is a top contact allergen. The actual herb is toxic to the liver and can be fatal when eaten (the FDA classifies pure arnica as an unsafe herb), but homeopathic oral supplements […]

MUSCLE BALMS & SPRAYS, CAMPHOR: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Muscle Balms & Sprays “Muscle balm” or “spray” is not, as such, an allergen. And there are loads of topical pain relieving muscle preparations, each with its own unique formulation. However, most contain menthol, mint, clove, camphor, cinnamon, and/or arnica, which give the balms their yummy, soothing hot-cold tingling or numbing, but which are all published common allergens. Others pile […]

PERFUME/FRAGRANCE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen…and Photo-Allergen! Perfume, Fragrance And boy, what common and consistent allergens! Fragrance has the dubious honor of being the 2007 Allergen of the Year of the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Fragrance is everywhere, and even natural, organic fragrances can be top allergens. If you’ve patch tested positive for fragrance, there’s quite a bit to avoid, including: Eugenol, cloves, […]

MICA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Mica This shiny silicate found naturally as crystals or as tiny scales in various rocks is known as “nature’s glitter” and gives a beautiful shimmer to cosmetics. It is not on published contact allergen lists. A concern is regarding the cruelty of its mining, which makes use of child labor in India (the Jharkhand state in India had the largest […]

DIRT, MUD, MUD MASKS: Allergen, or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen (but be wary) Dirt, Mud, Mud Masks “Dirt” and “mud” might not appear as such in patch test trays, but they can cause contact irritations and allergies. Dirt is a common culprit in irritant contact dermatitis — when the skin is regularly exposed to something over time that irritates it. Dirt under grass and plants might become […]

PHONE CASE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Your Mobile Phone Case They wouldn’t appear as such on published contact allergen lists, but many mobile phone protective cases have top allergens to be wary of, such as nickel and rubber. The phone itself may be less of a concern as touch screens have come to replace phones with metal keypads. The metal back […]