BAGOONG (Fermented Shrimp Paste): Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Bagoong This fermented shrimp paste (pronounced bah-goh-ong) is a local delicacy in the Philippines. While it’s mostly made with shrimp it can also be made with fish or krill. And while food allergies to shellfish are not uncommon, they’re actually less common as contact allergies. Food allergies (type B cells are involved) […]

CAR: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Car Yet another thing that won’t fit on your patch test but yet another thing that’s riddled with top contact allergens! Knowing what they are — and, crucially, using your patch test results as a guide — can spare your skin a lot of problems. Some top contact allergens that are in common cars: […]

LAB SAFETY GEAR: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Lab Safety Gear You won’t see goggles, masks, face shields, or gloves on a patch test but they do tend to have enough top contact allergens to warrant caution. Important: you could be exposed to strong chemicals or other risks in a lab setting so do not forego the safety equipment. Some top contact […]

CLOVE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Clove Clove oil is eugenol, which is extracted from cloves, and which is one of the allergens in the Fragrance Mix included standard patch test trays, definitely making it a top contact allergen. Where can you find clove oil Because it smells good and has antiseptic properties, clove oil is found in lots of […]

CACTUS EXTRACT: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Cactus Extract While cactus spines can certainly be painful and produce an acute inflammatory reaction, and while there do not seem to be many clinical studies yet on the benefits of cactus extracts for skin, it is currently not a top contact allergen. A heads up: cactus extracts are relatively new in cosmetics […]

OAKMOSS: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Oakmoss This woody, earthy fragrance from tree lichen is a favorite in men’s cologne and skincare, is part of Fragrance Mix in standard patch test trays, and is definitely a published top contact allergen. Moss is generally a contact allergen, too, but oakmoss (Evernia prunastri) is actually a lichen (a fungus-algae hybrid that grows […]

INSECTICIDE, PESTICIDE, BUG SPRAY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Insecticide, Pesticide, Bug Spray These products wouldn’t necessarily be listed as such on published allergen lists or appear like this on patch test trays, but lots of their ingredients would! Common allergens found in insecticides, pesticides, and bug spray include: balsam of Peru, benzophenones, formaldehyde, fragrance, isothiazolinone, pyrethrin, permethrin (avoid if you patch tested […]

CALCIUM CARBONATE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen Calcium Carbonate This naturally occurring substance is all around us, such as in pearls, shells, shellfish skeletons, eggshells and rocks (calcite and aragonite minerals). Calcium carbonate also very common as a dietary supplement, in foods, and in cosmetics. All of this makes the fact that it is not on published lists of […]

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 […]