We are all getting proficient at checking food labels , however non-food items are often forgotten as sources of allergic reactions.
TOOTHPASTE - Some 'natural' and fluoride free toothpastes often use fruit extracts as flavourings eg. citrus and berry fruits.
HAND/BODY LOTIONS - Often contain the following ingredients which may well cause an allergic reaction:
Egg proteins
Anacardium occidentale = cashew nut
Arachis oil, derived from peanuts. is used in many creams and lotions including Siopel barrier cream, zinc and castor oil ointment and calamine oily lotion.
Apium graveolens = celery, celeriac
Brassica alba/nigra/juncea = mustard
Prunus amara = bitter almond oil
Prunus dulcis = sweet almond oil
Bertholletia excelsa = brazil nut
Corylus rostrata/Americana/avellana = hazelnut
Cucumis melo = melon
Glycine soja = soya
Gadi iecur = cod liver oil
Hordeum vulgare = barley
Macadamai ternifolia = macadamia nut
Juglans regia/nigra = walnut
Lac = milk
Lactis Proteinum = whey protein
Ovum = egg
Macadamia ternifolia = macadamia nut
Piscum iecur = mixed fish oils
Pistacia Vera = pistachio nut
Sesamum indicum = sesame
Secale cereale = rye
Triticum vulgare = wheat
Coconut, sesame and tree nut oils.
Shea butter, which is extracted from shea nuts and may cause a reaction in people who are allergic to nuts and latex
Citrus fruit extract or oil, which are commonly used to perfume creams and lotions,
MAKE-UP - Some formulas contain wheat and nut oils as emollients. Foundation can include soy protein while oat flour is used to make some powdered make-up like blusher or pressed powder.
MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS - Check the ingredients listed on the packaging especially those listed as 'inactive ingredients'. Allergens can include milk products, lactose and starch which could be , corn, potato, rice or wheat. Check with your doctor or the pharmacist when collecting your prescription.
Those with shellfish allergies should also avoid glucosamine and any calcium supplements like coral calcium that are made from oyster shells or other shellfish.
Gadi iecur = cod liver oil
Piscum iecur = mixed fish oil
Abidec multivitamin drops for children contains arachis (peanut) oil. As does Dermovate excema cream and Naseptin cream.
Some asthma inhalers contain soya lecithin.
The flu vaccine - Anyone who has ever egg allergic is usually advised not to have the flu injection because of possible egg contamination from the culture medium.
The yellow fever vaccine - Yellow fever vaccine is definitely not advised for egg allergic patients.
HAIR PRODUCTS - Shampoo, conditioner and hair dye can include allergens, the most common being wheat, either in the form of wheatgerm or hydrolyzed wheat protein. Other allergens include citrus oils/extracts, mushroom oil, almond and other tree nut oils and hydrolyzed soy protein.
ADHESIVES - Wheat is a common ingredient in many glues and adhesives, especially on stamps and envelopes.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES - Corn starch is often used in rubber/latex gloves to stop them sticking together and to make them easier to put on.
LATEX ALLERGY - People afflicted with an allergy to latex are disadvantaged by the fact that non-consumables are poorly labelled if at all! Here are some (not all) things which often contain latex; rubber bands, condoms, protective gloves, washing-up gloves, carpeting, waistbands on clothing, baby feeding bottle teats, hot water bottles, rubber toys, sanitary pads, erasers, swim goggles, raquet handles, bike/motorbike and scooter handgrips, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, intravenous tubing, syringes, respirators, electrode pads, surgical masks.
Latex allergy is also related to certain food allergy/intolerances such as avocados, bananas, chestnuts, figs, kiwi fruit, papaya and passion fruit.