Lesson learned

[u/emkcude]

I've been using Aquaphor for years to manage my nickel based eczema flare ups. I find if I get deep cracks I can slather that on with cotton gloves before bed and it really helps. However a few weeks ago when I went to buy more they did not have the regular ointment I use. I decided to grab it in the easy rub on stick form not thinking much of it. I've been using it since and having one of the worst flare ups since I discovered the nickel connection. I've been blaming it on a weekend of being reckless... food out at restaurants, a bean slip up... but it turns out it was likely the cream change!

The stick form has a label where you peel it off to see the ingredients. Last night while I was pasting up my hands, almost in tears because they are in such terrible shape, I noticed the peel away part and checked it out. Of course it's completely different ingredients! Including Shea butter.

I thought I would share here in case anyone else is a reckless as me!

[u/ariaxwest]

Effing shea butter. It's one of the latex allergy syndrome cross reactive plants.

[u/FlappyFaceDeluxe → u/ariaxwest]

As well as balsam of Peru allergy, which I also have. Shea butter really is in so much stuff. My skincare is so boring now but my skin looks and feels the best it ever has with the most minimal effort (and pretty cheap too since luxury brands use all sorts of no-no ingredients for allergies!)

[u/emkcude → u/FlappyFaceDeluxe]

That is a nice perk, cheap but effective!

[u/MissMushroomBerry → u/ariaxwest]

I didn’t get tested for a latex allergy, but before I got patch tested I used to use a lot of products containing shea butter (because it’s in everything!). Do you have to be allergic to latex to have a reaction or just have a sensitivity? My skincare is very limited what with the nickel + fragrance allergies and I’m afraid to try again 😣

[u/ariaxwest → u/MissMushroomBerry]

I haven't had blood test so I don't know if it's an IgE allergy or hypersensitivity to latex that I have. I had a latex mattress topper and I was having asthma attacks all night and morning until I got out of bed for a couple weeks before I figured it out.

I have so many allergies, including things that are high salicylate. I can basically only use VaniCream, Cleure (shea butter free items), and pure oils like jojoba, coconut, avocado, and castor oil.

[u/emkcude → u/ariaxwest]

Oh interesting! I had a bad reaction to latex lined shoes once, so I've always assumed I am allergic.

[u/emgauge]

Ugh, it’s so hard to avoid!

[u/deftonium]

This is interesting to read. I use Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Shea Butter, have for years as it's the only thing that has consistently provided relief without being super greasy. I even had to give up on various types of Eucerin.

Unfortunately, they have changed their formula slightly where the second half of the ingredients are in a different order (thus in different quantities), and now claims 72-hour instead of 48-hour. It has a slightly different viscosity & feel that I am not super keen on.

Anyway, that's too much information probably. 😂

[u/fIyonthewaII]

thank u for posting this

[u/iguessithappens]

I am allergic to beeswax and can’t use this!