Anyone with skin allergies?

[oregonjen]

Can you recommend a good skin/hair product line that has no fragrances, is hypo-allergenic and not full of chemicals? I've searched online and found a couple that I might try, but before I go and order, I thought I would ask all of you. I've developed some scalp sensitivity to the big brand name shampoos and conditioners. Also, insects seems to think that my blood tastes good and I swell up at the site of the bite. I'm trying to get rid of the chemicals on my skin that might be exacerbating the reactions.

[liontamer]

1. I've had good luck with the whole food house brand.

I've also had good reactions to Avalon and Alba stuff, but they do have some fragrances so you might want to be careful. But honestly, I've gotten into making my own stuff. Moisturizers and conditioners are esecially easy to make.

[oregonjen]

2. This is the website I was looking at...

http://www.alerg.com/page/A/CTGY/04HC

I'm not one to order stuff online, especially from a company I have not heard of before.

[liontamer]

14. i've never tried any of that stuff

good luck though

[hippywife]

3. Can you

elaborate a little on making your own? Or do you have links with recipes. I don't have skin allergies but I've been switching to more homemade foods and would like to branch out into shampoos and stuff.

Thanx! :hi:

[liontamer]

16. I don't have links

but I can elaborate a bit.for moisturizers and lip balm, you can pick a base oil you like (almond and coconut are some of my favorites) and either use it straight, or whip it with some melted beeswax (1:1 works, but you can experiment to find a texture you like.) shampoos and soaps are harder, but you can saponify almost any oil. Also, if you don't need sudsing actions, baking soda soaks are good for cleansing skin, while vinegar and water rinses are good for the hair (but don't mix with baking soda soaks)

[Generic Brad]

4. Can't say I know anyone allergic to skin

Fur, yes. Skin, no.

[oregonjen]

5. Thanks for the sarcasm

Much appreciated. You've been so helpful. :applause: :rofl:

[Generic Brad]

6. Anytime

But my wife and I each have developed food allergies that affect our skin in different ways. As long as we avoid the things that cause problems for us, we have it under control. I discovered mine by trial and error. My wife learned of hers from her allergist.

[Chan790]

7. I do...

but have you talked to your doctor about this? I had a scalp issue which developed which I brushed off as from an allergy. Turned out to not be related to my skin allergies but was psoriasis. Apparently people with skin allergies have a higher likelihood of developing chronic skin ailments later. If not that...he still may be able to recommend something or prescribe an anti-allergen or hypo-allergenic skin product.

There is always the old standbys of baby shampoo and baby oil/lotions. These are pretty much designed to be non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin.

[oregonjen]

8. I found some at Wild Oats this afternoon

Shampoo and Conditioner that have no dyes, harsh chemicals, or fragrances. Hopefully, that will help. An appt. with an allergist is in a month, the soonest I could get in.

[hyphenate]

9. If you can get to a dermatologist

it would be helpful, because there are some dermatoses which can get much better with prescription strength cortisone treatments.

If you want to try OTC products, I would say first try Almay products which are hypoallergenic, or one of my favorites is Gold Bond lotion because it helps itchy dry skin. My dermatologist also told me of a lotion which really helps the itch, which is called Sarna. It's OTC, but you have to ask the pharmacist for it.

I found out that I had psoriasis myself, when I thought it was just atopic dermatitis. And it has turned to be a lot more resistant to treatment than even my dermatoligists thought it would be. The stronger ointments work, but OTCs won't work by themselves.

Good luck, but please ask your doctor to test if it's just an allergy or something more difficult to treat, like seborrhea or psoriasis.

[rubberducky]

15. I, also, have psorisis and have found that

Johnson`s baby oil gel really helps. I use it at night. It also leaves your skin nice and soft.

[SPKrazy]

10. I'm Allergic To Myself...

or some weird thing

If I don't shower daily, my skin starts to break out, if I don't shave daily the same thing happens

If I grow a beard the same thing happens

it's weird

it's like being in this skin is some kind of a mistake?

[dropkickpa]

11. I have 'em

Luckily, baby shampoos and conditioner work fine, I get more of a whole body reaction from shampoos and conditioners than scalp reactions (and yet I can dye my hair no problem :shrug:). I avoid all fragrances, dyes, and perfumes. I also do a lot of label reading for lotions and the like, I have to avoid lanolin like the plague (it's in everything!!). I use ALL free&clear, any other laundry detergent gives me big ol' hives. I have noticed that if I miss a day of my RX allergy meds, I start itching and going insane, not to mention big skin flare-ups. I lived a large portion of my life with those symptoms, and the relief from my meds is indescribable.

Good luck at the allergist (getting appts with them is hellish, there just isn't enough of them to go around)!

[wackadoo wabbit]

12. You've come to the right place

My husband and I both have extremely sensitive skin, plus I have a mild case of MCS, so I can empathize with what you're going through.

Here's what works for us:

For shampoo and conditioner, we mostly use a Canadian brand called Nature Clean Au Naturelle herbal shampoo. It's unscented and doesn't have any sensitizing chemicals. In the U.S. it's available at NEEDS (http://www.needs.com) and the American Environmental Health Foundation (http://www.aehf.com).

If you can handle natural smells, an extremely safe shampoo and conditioner are made by Ginesis. (This brand is so safe that it's actually recommended by Dr. Doris Rapp!) Unfortunately, these products are made with natural oils of peppermint and spearmint, so I don't use them, but my husband swears by them. They're available at http://www.ginesis.com.

For face, the best product -- no contest -- is Terressentials Fragrance-Free Organic Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. I looked for years for something that my skin could tolerate, and this has been the only thing I've found. It's available at http://www.terressentials.com.

For skin, we use Terressentials unscented organic bar soap. I also use Terressentials Fragrance-Free Bath Gel in the winter when my skin gets dry.

For regular hand washing, we generally use either the Terressentials bar soap or Dr. Bronner's unscented baby soap. They're both made with organic ingredients, so they're both safe, but we feel that Dr. Bronner's is a bit harsh for skin other than hands.

I hope there's something here you can use. I've been where you are, so let me know if there's any other help I can give you.

[grannylib]

13. I've been battling chronic hives for almost two years, and I don't seem to have

any problem with allergies, really, mine are what are called 'vibratory hives.' Get 'em from things like mowing lawn or riding bike, anything I have to grip tightly like that. Usually they go away in about half an hour, but these just have taken up residence and hung out for a couple years.

The only thing I've been trying as far as a natural remedy (recommended on Dr. Andrew Weil's website) is a bioflavinoid called quercetin; supposed to help with hives and other allergic stuff and also maybe fibromyalgia. Takes about 6-8 weeks to build up therapeutic levels; hoping it will get me off the damn steroids. No antihistamine has been effective for me.

Hope you find relief for what is ailing you!!

[u4ic]

17. I really like this brand

for hair care: http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/ I use the smooth as silk shampoo, conditioner and also the hair gel.

Hypo allergenic isn't an official term. Something that I react to and is in fact a common irritant, propylene glycol, is in a lot of cosmetic products, including hypo allergenic ones.


It's best to get tested by a dermatologist for what is substance is causing those reactions, and then avoid it by reading labels.