OLEAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Oleamidopropyl Dimethylamine “Amido-amine” surfactants are popular “safer” alternatives to SLS. But while SLS and SLES can be irritants (especially in higher concentrations), they are not allergens. Amido-amines are. OleAMIDOpropyl dimethylamine itself regularly appears on published lists of top contact allergens. Other common amido-amines are cocamidopropyl betaine and cocamide-DEA. Note that the “coca” in some […]

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 […]

BALSAM OF PERU: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Balsam of Peru Not actually from Peru but native to El Salvador (when it was first named, El Salvador was a Peruvian colony), Balsam of Peru makes such a regular appearance on published lists of top contact allergens that it is standard in the most elemental of patch test trays. Balsam of Peru is […]

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 […]

COLORED TABLETS, PILLS, CAPSULES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Colored Tablets, Pills Capsules Many dyes and some colorants are on published lists of top contact allergens. Some foods and supplements use flavors for taste and coloring, and many flavors are allergens themselves or related to fragrance. If you’ve patch tested positive to dyes, colorants, flavors or fragrance, look for your medication in tablets, […]

NON-STICK PAN: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen…but a manageable one! Non-Stick Pan Many non-stick frying pans or other cooking pans are made up of several substances that are allergens. The concern isn’t so much the “non-stick” part of it. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) is not a top contact allergen. It is sometimes recommended as a coating for metal medical devices or […]

BOOKS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen (but heads up!) Books Books are life and we love, love, love them. Most classic books — matte white or uncolored paper, plain text — tend not to have many top contact allergens. But there are definitely some things to watch out for. Vibrantly colored covers or papers contain inks and dyes, […]