FLUORIDES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … but be careful Fluorides Popular in toothpastes and other oral care products, found in some topical steroids, and added to tap water in some countries, fluoride (the ionic form of the chemical element fluorine) is not a top contact allergen. But fluorides (like chlorides) can be highly irritating or toxic at […]
PROBIOTICS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Probiotics These “good bugs” are the focus of a growing number of research studies — and rightfully so! After decades of antibiotic overuse, it turns out that our blanket killing of microbes may have done serious harm to the friendly bugs in our gut (and skin). This, in turn, may have had […]
LIMONENE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Limonene Limonene isn’t just a top contact allergen itself; it is one of the substances that makes mango, lime, mint, compositae, and many fragrances allergens, too. d-limonene is naturally occurring in plants and spices (mostly the citruses but also peppermint and fir needles). If you have patch tested positive to d-limonene, look out for […]
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Cocamidopropyl Betaine Cocamidopropyl betaine was the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2004. It is a common ingredient in cleansers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair coloring and styling products, toothpastes, mouth washes, and other cosmetics. A mistake that tends to be made is thinking that it is the “coco” (the coconut origin) […]
ACRYLATES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Acrylates Named 2012’s Contact Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, acrylates are interesting because, a little like clay and ceramics, they are strong irritants and allergens when wet (or in their powder or paste form) but tend to be fine when hardened. Polymerization is the process that causes acrylates to […]
PROPOLIS/BEESWAX: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Beeswax Beeswax by any other name is still beeswax … and a top contact allergen. Beeswax is in propolis (a top contact allergen itself), Cera flava (the wax produced from a honeycomb that is yellow in color) and Cera alba (the same wax but bleached). Beeswax is a popular moisturizing ingredient and thickener in […]
RUBBER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Rubber This top contact allergen is known to cause rashes, peeling, itching but also hyper- and hypo-pigmentations. Complicating things somewhat is that reactions to rubber can be due to the natural latex sap of the rubber tree or an allergy to the different chemicals used in the manufacturing of rubber such as: Thiuram Pigments […]
FEMININE HYGIENE, SANITARY (PERIOD) PADS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Sanitary (Period) Pads People have different preferences when it comes to period care but sanitary napkins can be a bit of a minefield for those with sensitive skin because most have several top contact allergens. A common cause of contact dermatitis of the vulva (vulvitis) or buttocks is fragrance — especially because of the […]
BASIL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … yet Basil There are some case studies of reactions to basil oil, and it is not currently listed in published lists of top common allergens. However, this heavenly herb is, along with mint and lavender, part of the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family of top contact allergens. We therefore suggest to use it […]