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 […]
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, […]