NOVEL CORONAVIRUS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) Please note that this page is a summary of what we currently know about novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and skin concerns. As of the time of this writing, skin lesions were beginning to be described in COVID-19. Avoiding rashes and other skin problems from the irritants and contact allergens described below is important as they may be mistaken […]

COCONUT FLOUR: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Coconut Flour Like so many things from the coconut — its oil, jam, sugar, meat, and monolaurin — coconut flour is not a top contact allergen. Made from dried coconut meat derived from copra (more processed) or virgin coconut meat, coconut flour is a great alternative to rye or wheat flour, which are common causes of protein […]

FACIAL SHEET MASKS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Facial Sheet Masks We’re not talking about the DIY masks you might mix at home using ingredients from your fridge and pantry — although, because many natural ingredients are contact allergens, those can have issues, too. We’re talking about the popular pre-packaged, ready-to-go facial masks that come as a sheet with cut-outs for your […]

NOODLES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Noodles Making noodles from scratch can expose the skin to common contact allergens, especially if they’re from of wheat or rye flour. But noodles that are already made and ready for cooking — especially if they are not wheat or rye but but made from rice, beans, starch, or seaweed — do not tend to cause […]

PAINT: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Paint Contact dermatitis from activities where painting is done is common due to the many contact allergens — and photo-allergens — that go into paint. These include acrylates, resins, preservatives, formaldehyde, isothiazolinones, benzophenone, glues (the colorants need them to adhere to the painted surface), inks, dyes, and certain plastics. Water-based and soy ink are better (the base is not […]

JIGSAW PUZZLE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Jigsaw Puzzle This classic hobby is great as a group activity, for passing the time, and to light up different parts of your brain. But unless you’re an other-level puzzle master slaying an all-white or transparent puzzle (and if you are, salute!), puzzles tend to be vibrantly colored…which brings us to our first top contact allergens: inks and […]

COCONUT WATER: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Coconut Water It’s not (yet) commonly used on skin but it could be: coconut water is very hydrating, moisturizing, a great source of vitamin C, is non-comedogenic, and is not a top contact allergen. It also has growth hormones and cytokines which have been shown to promote cell growth. Like most coconut […]

GRANOLA: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Granola This fiber-rich breakfast staple has lots of great things going for it, but several nickel-watch sites recommend avoiding it if you have patch tested positive to nickel. Our research shows, however, extremely few case reports of contact reactions to granola (one study showed one reaction in 600). Nickel is the top […]

JUNK, PROCESSED, CANNED, INSTANT FOOD: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Junk, Canned, Instant, Long-Lasting & Highly Processed Food Chips, dips, canned foods, microwave dinners, chocolate spread, colas, instant anything, long-lasting anything…these foods contain lots of top contact allergens like dyes, flavors (which are related to fragrance), consumable substances from the compositae family, propylene glycol, and parabens, sulfites, benzoates, and other preservatives. Due to the equipment in which […]