Issues in food allergy and intolerance, coeliac disease, gut disorders, eczema, 'free from' and all allergies and sensitivities
Allergy to PPD in permanent hair dye can be severe, and if you are sensitised you must avoid it. In worst cases, it causes swelling around the face and neck, and difficulty breathing. Angry red rashes around your hair line, ears…
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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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