HAND SANITIZER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen…but not always Hand Sanitizer “Hand sanitizer” does not appear in published lists of top contact allergens. However, most contain allergens like fragrances, dyes, “amido-amines,” and vitamin E. If your hand sanitizer contains alcohol but no allergens, then that’s great! The alcohol normally found in hand sanitizers (isopropyl or ethyl) is drying to the skin and an irritant, but it […]

Another Disinfection Technique: Wash Your Hands, Use Monolaurin…and Virgin Coconut Oil Your Nose!

With new bugs and superbugs, we’re looking for more ways to prevent infection. Improving our nutrition and overall well being is important (which includes lessening stress and getting enough sleep). Another is increasing our probiotic intake. Some classic best practices include frequent and proper hand washing, upping your use of hand sanitizer, and wiping down surfaces with alcohol or bleach. But while alcohol isn’t an allergen, it […]

LILY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Lily (Alstroemeria) So many flowers and plants are top allergens (browse through our Allergen-Not An Allergen tab), and this beautiful bloom is no exception. Allergic contact dermatitis to Alstroemeria (or tuliposide A, the allergen in this flower) can be common in gardeners, florists, and gardening hobbyists, showing as thick, cracking, red, tender skin on fingers where […]

NAIL POLISH: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Nail Polish Nail polish contains several ingredients that are common allergens, including: shellac, glues, preservatives, and acrylates. If brightly colored, dyes as well. The most common: tosylamide formaldehyde resin; butyl acetate, and the nail varnish. And this is just the polish. Several products involved in nail polish application and removal, including fake nails have their own […]

PAPER (UNTREATED): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen. Untreated Paper This is a bit of a tricky one. Paper, as itself, is not on published lists of common allergens. But, most of the paper that we use is treated with multiple allergens that can be real issues for those with contact dermatitis who have patch tested positive for them. Printing […]

AVOCADO: Allergen, or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen. AVOCADO This fabtastic, delicious superfood is not on published lists of common allergens. However, there are some reports of possible cross reactivity with latex as well as mango (or poison ivy, which have similar skins), tomato, peach, kiwi, tomato, banana, and chestnuts. If you have patch tested positive for latex, practice caution. Avocado is so nutritious and […]

OLIVE OIL: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen. Virgin Olive Oil Virgin olive oil — with minimum processing and no additives — is not a common allergen and can be a good emollient or moisturizer. Recent studies, however, are showing that it is a penetration enhancer, helping ingredients go deeper into the skin. While that might sound like a good […]

GRASS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Grass Grass might not appear as “grass” in patch test trays, but it is a common cause of contact irritations and allergies, often because of common insecticide ingredients used to keep it green and lush in some gardens, parks, and on golf courses. Even if completely wild and organic, pollens that fall on grass from […]

YOGURT: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen. Yogurt Natural, unflavored yogurt — without fruit, sweeteners, flavors, or other additives — is not on published lists of common allergens. It is a protein, however, so if you have a history of allergies to food, ask an allergist for a scratch test. But applied on skin? Yogurt is not currently a known allergen. Taken […]