I intend to document my failures and successes as I try to find products I can use. It's scary out there. Stay tuned. Pitch in. If you're like me (and I know there are some other sufferers out there), let me know what works for you and why.
So far these are some of the things I know I'm allergic to and a little about each.
- Sunscreens - even those without PABA probably the chemical Octyl salicylate because it is made with salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol, meaning it is an ethylene oxide derivative = bad, though it may in fact be the Isothiazolinone (see below) or the Quaternium 15 (see below).
- Latex - I'm allergic to rubber accelerators ( Mercapto - benzothiazole (see below) and ethylenediamide (also below) as well as ethylenediamide (see below).
- Nickel Sulfate Ethylenediamide dihydrochloride - a preservative used in latex, Antifungal cream, Antihistamines, Eye drops, Insecticides, Merthiolate, Motion sickness medicines, epoxy.
- Isothiazolinone - with chloro and methyl parts - a fungicide and algicide also used in personal care products, sunscreens, eye shadow, foundation, mascara, concealers, baby wipes and makeup removers. This includes its kin: Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone both of which include it in their evil formulations.
- Thiuram - a fungicide and pesticide used in neoprene and other rubbery things. Also in latex? Propylene Glycol? not sure - but I'm allergic to Tom's deoderants and there's not much else in there. It's used in hand sanitizers, moisturizers, toothpaste (yes, I'm allergic), foods, and personal lubricants (yes, ouchy).
- Propylene glycol causes kidney and liver damage.
- Quaternium 15 - preservative that releases formaldehyde (as do its buddies the ureas) - found in many foundations, eye makeup, shampoo, sunscreens, moisturizers. Mercapto - benzothiazole - used in the production of rubber products, including: tape, bandages, condoms, Antifreeze, balloon, Brassieres, Caulking, Earphones, Gloves , goggles.
- Thimerosal - this is the preservative found in vaccines that contain mercury that some people blame for the rise in autism.
- P phenylenediamine - used as a component of engineering polymers, hair dyes, clothing dyes and pigments. Found in gasoline, benocaine, PABA, and sulfa drugs. Found even in "natural" hair dyes contain it, even some hennas.
- Coal tar - used for coloring in hair colors (yellow dye # 10, #11, blue #1, green #3) and makeup and to make benzene, toluence, cresol, and phenol. They used creosote on all the phone poles when I was growing up - thus my exposure?
- Cow's milk - can't eat it, can't get it on my skin and there are lots of tricky ingredients that look like something else, but are cow's milk derived. Beware all "lacto" anything.
- Hydroquinone - linked to cancer and adrenal gland problems. It's banned in Europe, Japan, and Australia. It gives me a rash.
Let's get started.
