EARPHONES & HEADPHONES: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen Earphones & Headphones With video calls now commonplace, everyone needs a decent pair of earphones or headphones. If you’ve got contact dermatitis, they (like lots of digital equipment and office supplies) can be an allergen minefield. An updated patch test is your best friend. Some of the top contact allergens to watch out for […]

DIRT, MUD, MUD MASKS: Allergen, or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen (but be wary) Dirt, Mud, Mud Masks “Dirt” and “mud” might not appear as such in patch test trays, but they can cause contact irritations and allergies. Dirt is a common culprit in irritant contact dermatitis — when the skin is regularly exposed to something over time that irritates it. Dirt under grass and plants might become […]

MOBILE PHONE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Your Mobile Phone “Mobile phones” does not appear on published contact allergen lists, but they have a few top allergens to be wary of…topmost being nickel. Nickel is so common that it is rare for any metal not to have some nickel in it. Your phone’s casing probably does. The good news is that many phones use very […]

CLAY: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Clay Pottery clay can cause allergic contact dermatitis because of the presence of cobalt, which is a top allergen. The biggest risk is to people who handle and form the raw materials (in Management of Positive Patch Test Reactions, for example, the recommendation is to avoid “wet alkaline clay containing cobalt.”)* As well, keep in […]

COBALT: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen. Cobalt A strong, common allergen, cobalt is a naturally-occurring metal, frequently found with nickel, and was Allergen of the Year in 2016. If your patch test showed an allergy to cobalt, avoid it in cosmetics as an ingredient (frequently used as a colorant for makeup), in pottery and cement, as well as in colored […]

Watch My Nickel Allergy Happen

Allergies can come and go. Don’t obsess about the chances, but don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself allergic to something you’ve used your whole life.

WHITE CERAMIC CUP: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Not An Allergen. While some mugs can have rubberized plastic handles which can cause contact dermatitis, or metal parts with nickel, a plain white ceramic cup is not an allergen. Cobalt is a strong allergen and is present in pottery clay, which can cause contact dermatitis in pottery workers who handle and form the raw materials (in Management of […]