The Allergy Maze

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My Allergy Maze: Entrance My goal in writing posts labeled, My Allergy Maze is to provide information that helped me as I have walked through the allergy maze. I am not affiliated with any site or resource I provide, nor do I guarantee the safety...

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Seeking Wisdom in a Multitude of Counselors After seven months on a Worker’s Comp Claim due to allergic contact dermatitis, I was still having flare-ups requiring fifteen-day rounds of Prednisone. The symptoms included facial, lip, and tongue swelling, bouts of ch...

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Misdiagnosis by doctors happen far more frequently than you can imagine, seeking a second opinion can be your best choice, I did.

https://theallergymaze.com/whats-new%2Fthe-maze/f/when-doctor%E2%80%99s-are-wrong

Entering the Allergy Maze

My goal in writing posts labeled, My Allergy Maze is to provide information that helped me as I have walked through the allergy maze. I am not affiliated with any site or resource I provide, nor do I guarantee the safety of any information they may provide.

My journey into the allergy labyrinth began when I was long past the traditional age people develop allergies; I was 54. The rash that started as a small patch on the side of my mouth would, within five months, grow to cover my face, ears, and neck. During that time, I had gone to Urgent Care twice; the Emergency Room twice saw my regular doctor once as well as seeing three different dermatologists. One of whom gave me a serious misdiagnosis that may very well have triggered a change from contact dermatitis caused by chemical exposure at work to a full-blown allergy crisis.

After five months of wandering through the allergy maze, a dermatologist finally administered a patch test on me; the results would be the start of a life-changing journey. The exam showed that I had at least fifteen chemical allergies which include the following:

1. (Nitrobutyl)morpholine/(ethylnitro-trimethylene) dimorpholine Bioban™ P 1847

2. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

3. Abietic Acid

4. Ammonium Persulfate

5. Benzisothiazolinone

6. Carba mix

7. Cocamidopropyl betaine

8. Colophony

9. Formaldehyde

10. Fragrance Mix I or II

11. Methylisothiazolinone + Methylchloroisothiazolinone

12.

13. Neomycin sulfate

14. Propolis

15. Rubber Accelerators (Diphenylguanidine)

16. Thiuram mix

When the dermatologist gave me this list, he also handed me copies of data on each of the chemicals from the website: SmartPractice. SmartPractice has a database of known allergens with information on its general uses, its other aliases, what types of products may contain it, and additional material as needed. To anyone with chemical allergies, they are a particularly great place to start looking for info. I looked up each chemical, downloaded a .pdf on it, and started to build a database of just what I am allergic to; it was overwhelming.

One of the chemicals I am allergic to is Bioban; Bioban is generally only used for industrial applications, but the other chemicals such as Carba Mix, Fragrance Mix, Formaldehyde Neomycin Sulfate are in almost every item you can think of today. From deodorant, toothpaste, eye drops, clothes, writing paper, cleaners, disinfectants, shampoo, bar soap, laundry soap, to even toilet paper, I am allergic to modern life.

The reality of having many allergies is daunting, to say the least. While SmartPractice gives lists of item types I need to investigate before using; it did little to suggest items I could use. Fortunately, a nurse gave me the name of a website on a follow-up visit to the dermatologist, which is extremely helpful in naming toiletries I can use. The site is called SkinSafe, and I cannot recommend them enough.

SkinSafe chemically analyzes thousands of healthcare items so that when you submit your Patient Allergy Codes to them, they will build a customized shopping cart of healthcare products that you should be able to use. Once your profile is completed, you can submit items you see that are not already in the database for testing.

Another helpful site I found when looking for healthcare products is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This site analyzes thousands of items and lists their ingredients allowing you to see if they contain allergens or chemicals you do not wish to use. It is a great resource for anyone with allergies or simply trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

After I had entered my Patient Allergy Codes into Skinsafe, I searched for bar soaps, shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, and moisturizers I can use; I found only one, a particular olive oil soap. I was amazed because there are so many toiletries available now with claims of only containing natural ingredients, I cannot use any of them. So, just how natural are these ingredients that manufacturers use?

The Allergy Maze updated their website address.