GIN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Gin This cocktail staple is not on published lists of contact allergens…but if you’ve got sensitive skin, you might be a little wary of the mixers and garnishes. Lemon and lime, for example, are common allergens, as is mint. Quinine is known to cause drug-induced photosensitivity. And artificial mixers can contain loads of allergens, […]
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Activated Charcoal This trendy ingredient has a slew of viral videos touting its efficacy at removing toxins in everything from toothpastes to facial masks. While not on published lists of contact allergens, however, we’d suggest a little bit of caution. First, clarification: this isn’t the same stuff you use for BBQs. Activated […]
CANNABINOID (CBD) OIL: Allergen, or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen CBD Oil While research on the efficacy and safety of cannabinoid (CBD for short) oil is still lacking, interest is high and growing for this impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Some studies are even looking at it as a possible management option for allergic contact dermatitis! Other pilot studies and and anecdotal reports imply a potential […]
ALOE VERA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Aloe Vera This vitamin-, antioxidant-, and moisture-rich wonder substance is an old, soothing favorite. It’s a staple as an anti-inflammatory for sunburn and eczema. Product manufacturers do not generally use the leaf’s outside but just the leaf centers, which might explain the low reaction rates to it. Do make sure to patch test it […]
HAIR DYE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Hair Dye “Hair dye” is not on published allergen lists, but most hair dyes contain PPD or para-phenylenediamine, which is a staple in published allergen lists — — so much so that it was the American Contact Dermatitis Society‘s Allergen of the Year in 2006. Reactions occur where you’d expect them (on the scalp, for example, […]
GARLIC: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen…and a Photo-Allergen! Garlic Might explain why vampires avoid it (and have such smooth complexions)! While garlic is delicious and has a long history of being used as a natural remedy, it contains allicin and diallydisulphide, which are both allergens. Garlic poultice (garlic made into a moist mass that is spread on cloth or skin) […]
Allergy to Fragrance: Understanding Fragrance Additives and Choosing Products
by Rajani Katta, M.D. What do you think of when you hear the word “fragrance”? Many of us think about perfume or cologne. If you’re allergic to fragrance, though, it doesn’t stop there. If you’re allergic to fragrance, you should definitely avoid perfumes. But fragrance is found in MANY other products. In fact, the vast majority of personal […]
THEOBROMINE in Chocolate: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. Theobromine (in Chocolate) Bromine is a halogen, which is a type of chemical that is found in several foods and other substances that can cause skin problems. Despite the similarity in the name, however, theobromine is not a halogen (it has only carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, no bromine), and is not a common skin allergen. […]
VIBRANIUM (Wakandan): Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen. Vibranium This metal may be fictional, but it provides a great opportunity to look at what makes a substance more or less likely to be an allergen. Based on what we know of vibranium, we’d stand by: not a common allergen. Our first justification is that vibranium is extremely rare, found almost […]