Allergy Anaphylaxis - the chemicals we contact every day from the brands we trust

[zmk1962]

Hey Raiders,

I mentioned in my fishing report that I would put up a post about Maria’s recent allergy anaphylaxis episode and some learnings - it’s a longish read, so only continue if you are interested. Otherwise skip to the part where I highlight the Yuka app - it will change your life if not save it.

Long story short, as our kitchen renos were concluding I started to paint the kitchen/dining areas (Dulux Wash&Wear water based paint). Maria was keeping me company in the rooms chatting as I worked around the walls - shortly after the skin on her face started turning red and there was visible puffiness around the eyes so she moved to another area of the house. The next morning she woke up with a fully swollen face, runny eyes, and an eczema/dermatitis like reaction on her skin. She stayed away from the work area all day, but by the evening her condition had worsened to the point where we phoned our health insurance company on call nurse for some over the phone triage. Once she heard Maria’s throat was becoming scratchy she concluded it could be the start of anaphylaxis and she called an ambulance. On arrival the ambos went through their diagnostics, agreed with the nurse, gave Maria adrenaline and off to the hospital she went for overnight observation and care. WTF!!  

I was left shocked at how quickly the situation had developed, so started to piece together what Maria had been exposed to over the past few days and some history. 

She had a prior but much milder allergy reaction back in 2020, and at that time she had been potting plants, and we concluded the cause was the potting mix as it was clearly labelled as allergen. But in hindsight, I realised I had painted the daughters rooms at the same time and also our rugs had came back from professional cleaning.
 
I researched some articles and discovered that water based paints often contain methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) as a preservative which has been documented to cause allergy, contact dermatitis reactions.  Here is the link reference :
https://tidsskriftet.no/en/2015/12/problems-paint
 
A bit more research showed that apparently carpet cleaning solutions use Benzisothiazolinone as a preservative. Here is the link reference: https://www.baneclene.com/Professionals/Content.aspx?xps=MTk4OQ==
 
isothiazolinone seems to be common in both - so I thought I was onto something and immediately called and wrote to Dulux. They came back within a day and confirmed their Wash&Wear paints contained isothiazolinone as MI/MCI … (they also advised the Dulux UltraAir water based range had no preservatives). 

I thought I had it solved, and when Maria came home we compared notes - she was confident as well, BUT she threw a spanner in the works when she said she had used a new face cream (Paula’s Choice Clear) several times in the two weeks prior to me painting. Hmmmm, it was water based as well - did they use MI/MCI as a preservative? Could this be the conclusive proof?

A quick email exchange with Paula’s Choice showed the cream had no MI/MCI, but they used Phenoxyethanol⁠ as a preservative and the product also had Benzoyl Peroxide. A bit more research and it turns out if you’re sensitive  to phenoxyethanol or benzoyl peroxide, you may develop rash like hives on your skin where the product was applied, and in severe cases you may experience anaphylaxis.

So we had 3 candidate allergens - isothiazolinone (and derivates), phenoxyethanol and benzoyl peroxide … the research indicated that sensitivities can build up with continued exposure and these compounds were commonly used in all sorts of products: face creams, sunscreens, dishwashing liquids, softeners, hand sanitizer’s (and boy did we get a fair dose of that in the last few years)  etc etc etc  Given their pervasive presence, Maria could well have used a face cream or sunscreen containing them in 2020 as well. 

So off to the GP we go, and then subsequently to an allergy specialist that ACTUALLY did chemical tests vs pollens and what not (hard to find one of these).

The specialist tested Maria for 36 compounds with the T.R.U.E. test procedure (https://www.smartpractice.com/shop/category?id=508222&m=SPA) and added a 37th patch containing Paula’s Choice - CLEAR.

  

The test revealed that she had a very strong reaction (visible within 48hrs) to the face cream CLEAR and a milder reaction (visible after 5days) to Nickel Sulfate.  She had no reaction to Isothiazolinone compounds - which was a godsend as this product is so prevalent - imagine turning up at a hotel or restaurant that had recently had carpet cleaned or had been painted and triggering anaphylaxis. 

The specialist also advised the face cream she had used (Paula’s Choice Clear) contained these 4 compounds associated with contact dermatitis and even anaphylaxis - Phenoxyethanol⁠, Laureth-4, Propylene Glycol and Benzoyl Peroxide

We had finally and conclusively established the root cause of her reaction:  Face cream - not Paint.

We had also discovered why her body had rejected several surgical implants: a bolt used during bunion surgery, and ankle implants for flat feet - even though they were touted as being Tungsten - a further check showed the implants were actually Tungsten alloys containing nickel. (Hmmm, you’d think it would be routine to perform an allergy test before an implant was used.)

So what are the learnings: WE WERE SHOCKED TO LEARN HOW MANY DANGEROUS CHEMICALS WERE IN PRODUCTS WE USED DAILY !!!!!!!! 

By sheer chance we had this discussion with a colleague who mentioned we needed to download the YUKA App on our mobile phones. It scans barcodes (food and cosmetic products) and ranks the product between 0 - 100 (bad - excellent) based on the chemical composition. It also lists all the chemicals and provides a detailed report on each compound and the known health impacts it may cause and even offers suggestions of alternative products that may be healthier for you to consider.  We thought it would be very useful for Maria going forward to steer clear of the products to which she had a sensitivity.

Here is Yuka:

We started to check all the products and Brands we trusted and used and were horrified as to what we found - being fishos we started with SUNSCREENS -  here are some examples:

If you click on the (i) - for extra information you get info like this:

and some more trusted brands......

Even Cancer Council Sunscreen only scored 24/100 !!!!!  

If the sun does not give you cancer, I’m starting to fell like these products certainly will !

But then here is an alternative that we found - it was right on the bottom shelf at ChemistWarehouse under all the other highly promoted junk. About $25 per tube vs the $18-$25 for the other stuff.

We also found you could not just trust a Brand - some products in their range were good, and others were dangerous - you actually had to check each product.

As a result, both Maria and I have gone through our toiletries and culled. The fridge is next!  

We have also shared with our extended family - especially the ones with young kids - the sooner they stop using these product the better - its got to be a concern when you see compounds that are known endocrine disruptors prevalent in kids formulas … and they wonder why allergies are on the rise…. doh !!!

Anyway, I have shared the above in the hope some of you can benefit from our stressful experience and find this of help and use. 

Cheers Zoran

[Madkanu]

Thanks for the details Zoran. I’ve been a bit broken out of late with what looks like contact dermatitis. Guess I’ll need to download the app add see what’s in the aftershave cream I’ve been using!

[XD351]

Epic post Zoran! That was a close call and things were going bad real quick!

[big Neil]

Very interesting read Zoran. Interesting to see that the Cancer Council-recommended product is listed as bad. The information that you have gleaned should be very helpful to Maria from here on. She is definitely going to need to be vigilant.

bn

[zmk1962]

12 hours ago, big Neil said:

Very interesting read Zoran. Interesting to see that the Cancer Council-recommended product is listed as bad. The information that you have gleaned should be very helpful to Maria from here on. She is definitely going to need to be vigilant.

bn

Thanks BN. Yup that particular Cancer Council product contained bad ingredients maybe others don’t - you need to test each product and check the ingredients - in the past if it was Cancer Council we’d just take for granted it was safe and slap it on - not anymore though. 
cheers Z

[Yowie]

A very detailed report there Zoran - unliked your fishing prowess. 😂

It shows just how many chemical preservatives are added to everyday products, to prevent products having a bacterial, fungal attack, or decomposition of the product due to chemical reactions or breakdown of the various components. 

Buy a bottle of mouthwash, then read the label to see what is in it. No wonder the product label says, "do not swallow this product."

Hope that Maria is now well and recovered. 👍

[zmk1962]

17 minutes ago, Yowie said:

A very detailed report there Zoran - unliked your fishing prowess. 😂

It shows just how many chemical preservatives are added to everyday products, to prevent products having a bacterial, fungal attack, or decomposition of the product due to chemical reactions or breakdown of the various components. 

Buy a bottle of mouthwash, then read the label to see what is in it. No wonder the product label says, "do not swallow this product."

Hope that Maria is now well and recovered. 👍

Ms back to her usual self thanks. Just much more cautious with all toiletries and beauty products. 
As to mouthwash… you just have to check each brand … see Listerine Original below… an excellent result but I still wouldn’t drink it !

Edited October 14, 2023 by zmk1962

[mrsswordfisherman]

An excellent review and report with usual quality Zoran. 

I downloaded that app - very interesting.

Seems Banana Boat products are not worth buying. 

Cetaphil moisturiser comes out ok- is used and recommended by dermos. 
 

 

 

 

[Little_Flatty]

Thanks Zoran, that was educational. I never even realised man made substances could cause anaphylactic reactions.

[zmk1962]

45 minutes ago, mrsswordfisherman said:

An excellent review and report with usual quality Zoran. 

I downloaded that app - very interesting.

Seems Banana Boat products are not worth buying. 

Cetaphil moisturiser comes out ok- is used and recommended by dermos. 
 

 

 

 

Thanks Donna and thanks for the post recognition ! ... just paying good info forward.

Check each product as you can't rely on a brand alone: the Cetaphil mosturising lotion you mention scores and excellent healthy 86/100, the Cetaphil SPF50+ Daily facial mosturiser I posted in the original report scores Bad 0/100 listing 4 hazardous substances !

Maria is down from three drawers to one drawer of "healthy products"... she's decided to rock the blemishes !

Cheers Z 

43 minutes ago, Little_Flatty said:

Thanks Zoran, that was educational. I never even realised man made substances could cause anaphylactic reactions.

Man made stuff is often the most allergenic ... but that's another topic.

In hindsight the interesting thing was how we react as humans, and how the industry reacts as well.

The human reaction - our reaction (mine and Maria's): blame the industrial product ... must be the paint ... those &#@$#& chemical companies !!!!!  And yet it was the Cosmetic product that put Maria into hospital! ... a face cream. Who would have thought.

The industry reaction - one call to the industrial co (Dulux) and they took details, gave me direct email to forward photos, batch numbers, connected me with their lab, pulled out and sent MSDS sheets from Oz and UK (material safety data sheets) and I had a response within 24hrs ... and their lab tech is still staying in touch with me today. 

Call to Paula's Choice Cosmetics - sorry we don't take such feedback over telephone calls please fill in an online feedback form ... just go look on our website. Go find and fill in form and note it's sent of to US parent co... 48hrs later, email reply, denial of other similar feedback, sorry you don't "like" our product we will offer you a full refund (no confirmation if MI was in the product or what the product contained!!!) --- follow up with angry email, this is about life or death not about refund ... 24hrs later another email here is a list of our ingredients.... (of which 4 are known contact dermatitis allergens, 2 can cause anaphylaxis) .. denial denial ... oh btw if it turns out it was our product we will insist on having further dialog and discussion. I confirmed back to them as per the allergy specialist's test it was their product - that was Friday morning... no response so far ... 

How is it that these two industries can operate so differently, or be allowed to operate in that way -  you put cosmetics on your skin, you put paint on a wall .... you'd think there would be greater scrutiny and duty of care with anything that we apply or ingest directly.  I guess there is a lot of self regulation/self reporting that is allowed in pharma and cosmetic companies (have you seen Painkiller on Netflix?).

Rant over.

Cheers Z

[Little_Flatty]

32 minutes ago, zmk1962 said:

How is it that these two industries can operate so differently, or be allowed to operate in that way -  you put cosmetics on your skin, you put paint on a wall .... you'd think there would be greater scrutiny and duty of care with anything that we apply or ingest directly.  I guess there is a lot of self regulation/self reporting that is allowed in pharma and cosmetic companies (have you seen Painkiller on Netflix?).

Many of the big Australian industrial chemical manufacturers seem pretty fastidious about safety, having worked for one in the past. Maria's case would likely be keeping at least one safety and one product manager awake at night. Not sure about pharma and cosmetics, don't have experience with either. Good you got a decent response from Dulux.

[mrsswordfisherman]

Zoran yes watched Painkiller ugh

Keep chipping away at the cosmetic place!!

 

[Welster]

It doesn't matter what the subject is your research is always first class and informative Zoran so thank you.  I will be downloading the app and passing it onto my family members as well.  Dulux's response was pretty impressive and it should be the standard.  I would imagine if you look into the cosmetic companies accounts the marketing spend would be significantly higher than the R & D or customer relation spend.

Your experience struck a chord with me on both counts.  Quite a few of my uncles are painters but one was unable to paint his own house because my Aunty reacts to the paint and for some time after the house is painted so it was better left as is.  My sister has fairly bad skin allergies, has had the chemical tests and has to be extremely careful of the personal and cleaning products she uses.  At work she has to have her own desk and when we go out for dinner she wont put her arms on a table until she has laid out napkins so her skin doesn't contact the table.  I use the Nivea sunscreen you scanned but not on my face as it makes it feel puffy and irritated, maybe I need to take your lead and do some culling myself. 

 

 

[Sharknado]

For a lot of years paint contained lead & dont forget about Hardie & the asbestos fiasco, how many houses out there are full of it?

People/companies never learn!

Its no wonder so many people die from various cancers a year.

The amount of chemicals that would be entering the food chain in many ways would be staggering, then there is the air we breath! 

You can understand why some people go the full organic lifestyle but even a lot of people who go a vegan diet would be blown away with the amount of chemicals/additives present in plant based food offerings, probably more than normal foods.

It would be a fulltime job scanning every product when you go shopping but some do. 

 

Good to hear your wife is doing better, now it is know she can have an anaphylactic reaction it might be wise to have an EPIPEN on hand.

Edited October 15, 2023 by Sharknado

[zmk1962]

Thanks @Sharknado  ... too true. Re shopping, we've found that there are staples that we purchase just about every time we go shopping ... once you've scanned them once you can swap out the crap products for better ones.  So it's really only the new stuff that will get the Yuka treatment going forward.

Hahaha ... yes lots of misinformation everywhere, including plant based alternatives .... I too was surprised as to what's in plant based food .... 

Now that chemical load should really worry Mr Bananas @Pickles 😂🤣

I wonder what would be in factory farmed meat/fish if they did the full chemical analysis like this on "just beef" or "just fish" when >90% of pharma revenue comes from animal agriculture .... and could that be linked to the rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria strains??? 

That's the reason Maria and I catch our own fish - wild caught, and stay as close as possible to whole foods !

Cheers Z

 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by zmk1962