dermatitis | The Humble Kitchen

Here is a cut and dry list of over 100 ingredients known to cause contact dermatitis. This list is in alphabetical order only – rather than severity as not everyone reacts or is sensitive to these chemicals. What may irritate me, may do nothing to you and vise versa.

Of course, it’s important to note that…I’m only human and not even a specialized human like doctors or nurses. I’m just a small town girl with a passion to get rid of eczema once and for all, so I urge you to read my disclaimer before we get started.

I’ll warn you now, this is a daunting list. It’s best to print it off and carry it with you to refer to later. While I can’t talk about the effects of EVERY ingredient on this list (cause let’s face it, that would take forever), here’s just a few things our villains are capable of.

Parfum/Fragrance: One of the top villains, fragrances are not only one of the major allergens but they are also wickedly deceptive. There are over 3000 chemicals used in fragrances, with most being protected by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act as they are considered ‘trade secrets’. This means the chemicals within that fragrance don’t have to be listed on the label. Talk about sketchy.

On top of that, products labeled ‘unscented’ and ‘hypoallergenic’ DO in fact contain masking fragrances. Only products labeled ‘fragrance-free’ truly have no fragrances.

Sulfates: Are both foaming agents and cleansers found in thousands of products from toothpastes to body washes. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is one of the harshest sulfates, it’s so good at cleaning that it is commonly found in engine degreasers and industrial cleaning products! As people grew more wary of this, manufactures began a new marketing scheme ‘SLS Free’ and began using SLS under names like Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, and Sodium Salt (Talk about ca-ching $$$. Wicked.)

Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Deemed ‘Allergen of the Year’ according to The American Contact Dermatitis Society back in 2004, it is a cleansing and lathering ingredient. Approximately 3-7% of the population show sensitivity to this villain, and perhaps even more shocking? It’s often in products labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’.

A close pal to Cocamidopropyl Betaine is Cocamide DEA. Both are derived from coconuts, and while that seems harmless it is another severe source of contact allergens. Back in June 2012, California listed Cocamide DEA as a known chemical to cause cancer. At this time, DEA compounds are unrestricted in Canada. Now that’s scary.

Phthalates: Commonly listed as DBP or di-n-butyl phthalate, phthalates are considered a potential carcinogen with the possibility to contribute to birth defects, allergic reactions and eczema.

Formaldehyde: A chemical that is also used in mixtures to EMBALM DEAD BODIES, you could say we’ve really found the wicked witch of the west with this one. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogenic that the European Union has deemed ‘may not be safe’ for use. Outrageously, it is still found in soaps and baby shampoos! What’s even more wicked? You won’t see it listed under the name Formaldehyde, rather it will be listed under the name of preservatives that release formaldehyde such as Qauternium-15, Dimethyl-Dimethyl (DMDM) Hydantion, Imidazolidiyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Sodium Hydroxmethylglycinate and 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3 Diol (bronopol). Cue the ominous music.

Parabens: Last but not least we have parabens, which are anti-bacterial agents added to products to prevent the growth of mold. While parabens are not strictly contact allergens, they have been found to disrupt hormones and are also found in cancerous tissues. Scary.

Did I scare you enough? Now onto the list:

2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (bronopol)
3-Cyclohexane Carboaldehyde
Alcohol Denat
Alpha Amyl Cinnamic Alcohol
Amidoamine
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Amodimethicone
Amyl Cinnamal
Anisyl Alcohol
Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile)
Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon Pereirae)
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Benzoate
Benzyl Cinnamate
Benzyl Salicylate
Butylated Hydroxytolune (BHT)
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Cassia Oil
Cetearyl Methicone
Cetyl Dimethicone
Chlorphenesin
Cinnamal
Cinnamic Alcohol
Cinnamic Aldehyde
Cinnamon
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Citral
Citronella
Citronellol
Cloves
Cocamide DEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coumarin
Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclomethicone
Diazolidinyl Urea
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Dimethicone
Dimethicone Copolyol
Dimethiconol
Dimethyl-Dimethyl (DMDM) Hydantoin
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
DMDM Hydantoin
Ethanol
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethylene Bassylate
Ethylene Glycol
Ethylparaben
Eugenol
Evernia Furfuracea
Evernia Prunastri
Farnesol
Formaldehyde
Fragrance Mix 1
Geraniol
Glyceryl thioglycolate
Hexylcinnamal
Hydroxycitronellal
Hydroxyisohexyl
Imidazolidinyl Urea (Imidurea)
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Isobutylparaben
Isoeugenol
Isomethyl Ionone
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl Palminate
Kathon CG
Lanolin
Lanolin Alcohol
Lauramide DEA
Limonene
Linalool (Lavender)
Lyral
Methicone
Methyl-2-Octynoate
Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone
Methyldibromoglutaronitrile/ phenoxyethanol
Methylisothiazolinone
Methyl methacrylate
Methylparaben
Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)
Monododecyl Ester
Monoethanolamine (MEA)
Oak Moss Absolute
Parabens
Paraphenylene Diamine (PPD)
Parfum
Petrolatum Liquidum
Phenoxyethanol
Phenyl Trimethicone
Phthalates
Polyethylene Glycol
Potassium Sorbate
p-Phenylenediamine
Propanol
Propyl Alcohol
Propylene Glycol
Propylparaben
Quaternium-15
Retinoids
SD Alcohol 40
SD Alcohol
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate
Sodium Myreth Sulfate
Sodium Salt
Stearyl Dimethicone
Sulfuric Acid
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopherl Acetate
Tosylamide Formaldehyde Resin
Triclosan
Triethanolamine (TEA)

Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate (often labeled as TEA Lauryl Sulfate)
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

NOTE: Both Yarrow and Linalool (a compound naturally found in over 200 plants, including lovely lavender) are on the bad list, despite both lavender and yarrow being healing plants. Unfortunately, I did have to include them as there were several reports of irritation with these two lovely herbs. This is likely due to the individual’s sensitivity to the herb itself, rather than how it was processed in cosmetics. In summary, please don’t shy away from yarrow and lavender if you have no known sensitivities to them as ultimately they can be very beneficial.

This is a daunting list, I know. Print it off, and carry this list with you -you’ll be okay. As I said above, not everyone will react to these ingredients. Unfortunately for us with contact dermatitis, identifying which ingredient is irritating us within the mess of all the other chemicals in our soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics can be near impossible.

At this time, I don’t know of any store bought products free of all these chemicals but if you do, don’t be afraid to leave a comment and let us all know! My mother and I had a look through her favorite salon quality shampoos ingredients and there was A TON of the above listed on it. Yikes.

Eventually I’d love to start building my own soaps and shampoos, but in the meantime here is a DIY Eczema Cream for all your lotion needs (free of all that junk above).

Health & Happiness,

Savannah

Here are 10 facts you may not know about eczema that you can use to impress your friends! …Or more likely will be used when you have already said every cuss in the book and you need something else to mutter to yourself while dealing with that annoying rash that itches.

Enjoy!

Eczema comes from the Greek word “ekzein” meaning “to boil over”.

It is estimated that eczema affects roughly 20% of children and 1-3% of adults worldwide.

Since 1970, the prevalence of eczema has almost tripled. From 2000 – 2010 alone, the prevalence of eczema in children (younger than eighteen) living in the United States rose roughly 5%. See a break down here.

Contrary to overwhelming fear and misconception, if someone touches you with eczema you will not acquire this itchy, red, rash too. Of course in turn, if you have eczema you won’t pass it on to anyone else. This isn’t the plague, guys.

Eczema is seen in families with a history of asthma and hay fever. Asthma, hay fever and eczema are all atopic diseases (the three of them are known as the Atopic Triad). Atopy refers to an inherited tendency to produces an antibody (known as immuglobulin E) in response to common enviromental protiens such as dust mites, pollen, and food allergens. It is estimated that half of all children with eczema will develop asthma or hay fever as well. Eczema is most prevalent in children, with 1 in 5 children being affected. Over half of all sufferers display symptoms before their first birthday, with roughly 74% of children ‘growing out of’ the disease by their sixteenth birthday.

There are several different types of eczema:

Atopic dermatitis: The most common kind of eczema, frequently associated with allergic disorders. Characterized by chronic red, itchy inflammation of the skin.
Contact dermatitis: Red itchy rash, a reaction caused by a substance that comes in contact with the skin.
Dyshidrotic or Pompholyx eczema: A condition where very small, (sometimes deep-seated) fluid-filled blisters form on the palm of the hands, in between fingers, or on the soles of the feet.
Neurodermatitis: Starting as a patch of itchy skin, itching causes skin to become thick and leathery due to chronic itching.
Nummular dermatitis: A chronic condition where coin shaped spots develop on the skin. Itchy and well defined, these spots may ooze and weep.
Stasis dermatitis: An inflammatory disease occuring in the lower extremeties, where blood pools in either one or both legs. Pressure makes fluid leak out of the veins, into the skin.

While steroid creams and treatments help manage eczema and control symptoms, at this point in time there is no medical cure.

While not everyone who has eczema has an autoimmune disease, skin disease such as eczema and psoriasis are often one of the earliest symptoms to primary immunodeficiency diseases. Primary immunodeficiency diseases are a group of chronic disorders where the body’s immune system does not function properly.

NOTE: Once again, eczema can be found in people with normal immune systems too!

See an entire breakdown here.

There are many triggers when it comes to eczema, with food being a large one. While the diet and eczema link is often overlooked, food sensitivities can play a large role in flare ups and worsening symptoms. NOTE: Food allergies and sensitivites are different. This may play a large part in the misconception about the diet/eczema link. If food allergy tests come back negative, people presume the food isn’t connected to the itchy rash. In reality, you don’t have to be allergic to react to trigger foods.

Top triggers for eczema include:

Dairy
Gluten & Wheat
Eggs
Soy
Peanuts & Tree nuts
Shellfish

While those are the top triggers, everyone is different. What may affect me, will do nothing to you and vice versa. This is why it’s essential to keep a food diary to figure out your triggers as there have been reports of people reacting to anything from night shades to herbal tea!

There we have it! 10 eczema facts that, lets face it – probably won’t impress your friends…but hey! At least you know more about eczema, right?

Health & Happiness,

Savannah