Allergic Skin
Allergic skin reactions account for a lot of difficult skin conditions, including eczema, rosacea, rashes, hives, and allergic contact dermatitis. Skin can react this way when you touch something you’re allergic to, eat or inhale an allergen, or take a medication that triggers an allergic response in your body.
Since many skin conditions are difficult to diagnose, it’s important to remember that your body may be reacting to an allergen. If you suspect allergies may be involved, be sure to make an appointment with your allergist/immunologist, as he/she can help you discover your “triggers,” or those things that you may be allergic to.
Though everyone is different and allergies come in all shapes and sizes, there are a few common irritants that tend to affect a lot of people. The list below presents several common allergens that may be causing skin problems in your life. You may experience a reaction to one or more of these, or none at all, but the list gives you a place to start your research. Check with your doctor, then try limiting your exposure to see if you experience fewer flare-ups.
CV Skinlabs Products for You:
- Rescue + Relief Spray: rescues inflamed skin and relieves itching and burning. BUY NOW!
- Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp: Tri-Rescue Complex provides an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect to soothe and calm skin. BUY NOW!
- Body Repair Lotion: contains calendula and aloe to soothe skin and reduce inflammation. BUY NOW!
Protect Your Skin, Protect Your Health
No matter what type of compromised skin you may have, you’re more at risk from exposure to toxic chemicals. Since most personal care products and cosmetics contain potentially harmful ingredients, it’s important to always read labels and use only safe, nurturing formulas that will enhance the condition of your skin. Click here for a list of Ingredients to Avoid in your personal care products.
Balsam of Peru
An aromatic liquid from the bark of the Myroxolon balsamum tree, balsam of Peru is used in fragrances and for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It may show up in aftershave lotions, deodorants, cosmetics, baby powders, sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners, and as a flavoring in beverages. Sensitive people may be allergic, as flare-ups of hand eczema and allergic contact dermatitis are common.
Chrome
Chromium salts used in to manufacture cement, mortar, leather, paints, and anticorrosives can cause chrome sensitivity. Other products that contain these salts include leather shoes and gloves, cosmetics containing chromate pigment (usually yellow-green colors), tattoos, radiator coolants, dental or orthopaedic implants, and green felt fabric used to cover snooker and card tables. Reactions include allergic contact dermatitis and skin ulcers.
Cobalt Chloride
A metal found in medical products, hair dye, antiperspirants, snaps, buttons, and tools, cobalt chloride can cause allergic contact dermatitis and skin lesion eruptions. Sensitive individuals who receive vitamin B12 injections may experience an injection-site reaction, and oral ingestion of the vitamin may also cause hand eczema.
Coconut Diethanolamide
A surface active agent found in hand gels, hand-washing liquids, shampoos, and dishwashing liquids, coconut diethanolamide is manufactured from coconut oil. It’s also found in cosmetics, disinfectants, and all-purpose cleansers. It can cause contact allergic contact dermatitis, particularly on the hands.
Corticosteroids (Topical)
Also called “steroids” and “cortisone,” these anti-inflammatory agents are often available in creams, ointments, lotions, and eardrops. People who are sensitive to them may experience allergic contact dermatitis.
Dairy
Some of the most common triggers for eczema and other skin allergic reactions are dairy products. Dairy is high in protein, and like gluten, some of these proteins may be difficult for sensitive people to digest. In these people, eating dairy may cause an immune system reaction that creates a skin condition. Eczema is a common allergic reaction to dairy foods.
Dust
Common house dust can cause allergic reactions in those with sensitive skin. Some studies have found that the enzymes released by dust mites to break down human skin cells can create powerful allergic reactions in some people. Exposure appears to disrupt the skin’s barrier function, allowing easier entry for allergens. Reactions can include inflammation, itchiness, and dry skin.
Dyes
Dyes appear in many personal care products to make them look pretty or disguise the real color of a certain ingredient (that may not be very attractive). Examples include D&C Yellow #11, FD&C Blue #1, and FD&C Yellow #5.
Formaldehyde Releasers
Certain personal care products are processed in such a way that their ingredients later release formaldehyde as a by-product. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and known to cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Beware ingredients like bronopol, urea, DMDM hydantoin, and quaternium 15.
Fragrance
Fragrances are typically elaborate chemical concoctions used in the majority of personal care products to make them smell appealing, and of course, in perfumes and colognes for individual scents. These fragrances can be especially irritating to sensitive skin, and can also contain toxic chemicals and by-products linked with hormone disruption and cell mutation. For most people, natural fragrances from essential oils are best, but even these can be irritating to those with very sensitive skin. The best option is usually fragrance-free.
Gluten
A protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, gluten is a common allergen for sensitive people. Instead of digesting the protein like usual, the immune system responds by creating antibodies that can cause uncomfortable symptoms like dry skin, eczema, or dermatitis.
Lanolin
Lanolin is a fatty substance found naturally on sheep’s wool, and has been used as a moisturizer for decades. Though originally a natural substance, today lanolin is processed in many different ways, which can lead to contamination. The result is a substance that can be irritating to sensitive skin. Lanolin can also clog pores. Examples in products include hydrous, anhydrous, and hydrogenated lanolin, lanolin alcohol, wool fat and wool wax. Lanolin processed to maintain purity typically carries a lower risk of reaction.
Latex (Rubber)
Latex is the “milky sap” of the rubber tree, and it makes up the majority of natural rubber. It’s also used in products like adhesives, household gloves, condoms, balloons, foam, toys, sports equipment, elastic bands, and carpet backing. People allergic to this substance often have the allergy for life. Typical reactions include rash and dermatitis, ranging from mild to severe.
Nickel
Nickel is one of the most common causes of contact allergic dermatitis, and typically develops where nickel-containing metal comes in contact with the skin. Common sites include the earlobes (from nickel-containing earrings), wrists (from watch straps), and the lower abdomen (from a jeans stud or button). This allergy is more common in women than men. Reactions vary from a short-lived reaction to any contact with nickel, to break outs that occur only after years of contact. Nickel may also be present in mobile phones, handbag catches, razors, keys, pocket knifes, pens, zippers, hair pins, spectacle frames, other types of jewelry, silver coins, and metal items in the home such as toasters, teapots, scissors, kitchen utensils, needles, and pins.
PABA
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and its derivatives are present in many types of sunscreens. PABA is a common skin irritant, and may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Choose zinc oxide instead-it’s a safer option.
Pet Dander
Similar to the way many people may be allergic to animals, reacting with sneezing and runny eyes, many people may also have skin reactions from contact with pet dander (shed skin). People may come in contact by petting a cat or dog, but can also be affected simply by being in the same room, by touching furniture where the pet has been, or by inhaling the dander. Common reactions include eczema and rash.
Parabens
Used as preservatives in most personal care products and cosmetics-and even in shoe polishes, glues, sunscreens, antiperspirants, and toothpastes-parabens are also common skin allergens. The most common reaction is allergic contact dermatitis, which shows up as a rash. Examples include benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
Preservatives
In addition to parabens (mentioned above), many other preservatives are commonly irritating to skin. These chemicals inhibit the growth of bacteria or fungi in a product, but they can also cause dermatitis in sensitive people. A preservative allergy is more common in women than in men, and can occur on various parts of the body where the skin comes in contact with the offending substance. Hairdressers are frequently a victim of these types of allergic reactions, as they use many different products containing preservatives. Examples include methyldibromoglutaronitrile, thiomersal, benzalkonium chloride, ethylenediamine, and imidazolidinyl urea. Some preservatives in foods, as well, can cause skin reactions, including sulfites, benzoates, BHA, and BHT.
Propolis
A glue-like material made by honey bees to build, repair, and protect their hives, propolis and its derivatives may be used in cosmetics as a thickening agent, and in foods for coating and glazing candy and fresh fruit. This ingredient may also be found in facial creams, lipsticks and balms, epilating waxes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and in natural antispectics and anti-inflammatories. Allergies to this ingredient are on the rise, with reactions including dermatitis, rash, and facial redness.
Rosin (Colophony)
A sticky substance that comes from pine and spruce trees, this ingredient is found in cosmetics, dental floss, sunscreens, first-aid ointments, chewing gum, wart removers, cold-sore creams, hair removing wax, show wax, floor polish, laundry soaps, sport racket handles, and more. Common allergic reactions include allergic contact dermatitis and rash, which tend to occur within 1-3 days after contact.
Source: Some information from DermNet NZ.
