Issues in food allergy and intolerance, coeliac disease, gut disorders, eczema, 'free from' and all allergies and sensitivities
… benzisothiazolinone, octylisothiazolinone. Four preservatives with very long names that most have never heard of, but together, they’re responsible for one of the most significant allergy epidemics in recent decades — and they are also the subject of my latest…
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I’m often asked for recommendations for allergy-safe or hypoallergenic cosmetics. Many refer to ‘allergen free’ skincare but in practice little can be truly allergen free, given that almost all ingredients used in toiletries can — at least in theory, if…
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The subject of allergy-friendly face paint for kids regularly arises on social media, specifically nut free face paint, so here are the safe options that that I know about. Usual warnings apply: always double check with manufacturers (as suppliers and…
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In ‘free from’ world, we are well accustomed to product recalls being issued for food and drink — but perhaps less so for non-food products. The EU also has measures in place to withdraw other potentially dangerous products from the…
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Research was published in Contact Dermatitis looking at the instructions hair dye manufacturers give consumers about performing an allergy self-test before coloring their hair. It was a follow-on from a 2011 study, which found great variability in the instructions given, and whose…
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Ask the internet this question and you’ll be presented with a long list of positive answers — of course oats are great for the skin and for problem skin conditions such as eczema, everyone declares. Use skin creams with oats…
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If you have a nickel allergy — which may affect up to 16% of women, and 3% of men — finding a safe razor blade for shaving is not easy. Blades are generally made from stainless steel, which contain varying,…
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For some years, the British Skin Foundation has been warning the public about black henna temporary tattoos, which can cause extreme and severe skin reactions. A recent survey among dermatologists suggests such reactions are on the rise. Black henna temporary…
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The preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI) is used in some cosmetics and household detergents and products and can cause severe allergies. Here is a brief introduction to the problem, plus a short list of MI-free products. If you’re looking for additional information, including on the diagnosis of MI…
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It’s not difficult to find stories online — usually in chat forums — of long-standing rosacea symptoms disappearing following a trial of a gluten-free diet. As the culinary culprit of our times, gluten is regularly made a scapegoat, and the…
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