MERCURY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen, possibly … and a poison Mercury As with lead, while a skin rash or generalized dermatitis is a symptom of mercury poisoning and while mercury is a top contact irritant, it is not listed in published lists of top causes of T-cell mediated contact dermatitis (this might possibly be because its use in cosmetics […]
PILLOWS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Pillows You’re not going to see “pillows” on published contact allergen lists but you’ll probably see quite a few of the materials that go into making them (and their cases)! There are exceptions, of course, but the majority of pillows out there contain the following top contact allergens: The cushy foam and padding can […]
HYDROQUINONE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … but be cautious Hydroquinone This popular skin bleaching cream is neither on published contact allergen lists nor a standard inclusion in patch test trays. But there are reasons to be wary. Hydroquinone is known to cause irritant contact dermatitis (especially in concentrations of 4% and above), so much so that many […]
PRESERVATIVES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Preservatives Found in everything from plastics to fabrics, household goods, vaping compounds, medications, nutritional supplements, hair care and styling products, and certainly skincare and cosmetics, preservatives play an important role in preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria and keeping these items from decomposing or growing mould when contaminated by a microbe. Preservatives are […]
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 […]
ACETOPHENONE AZINE (in EVA foam in shin guards, footwear & sport gear): Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Acetophenone Azine (in EVA foam in shin guards, footwear & sport gear) Meet the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year for 2021: Acetophenone azine (AA)! AA is found in EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam and is a cause of allergic contact dermatitis — especially in children — from shin guards, bicycle seats, […]
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 […]