Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity of body’s immune system towards the exposure of particular allergen.
Have you ever find your skin appearing red? Do you feel like itching on your skin after the use of some products? Does your hands swell up or get extra dry after washing clothes?
If Yes, then this is because of chemical allergy. Some people have allergies due to certain chemicals. Everyone of us are in contact with chemicals in our daily life. We may not pay attention to what or which kind of chemicals?But these chemical resides in our daily life. These chemicals can be found in shampoos, detergents, soaps, body lotions, face creams, fragrance (perfumes) and other daily use products. Let’s find out what are those substances that create chemical allergies.
Chemical allergy
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI) is a chronic medical condition and syndrome characterized by various symptoms that the affected person attributes to low level chemical exposures to commonly used chemical products. This condition is known as chemical allergy in a person.
Chemical allergy can cause adverse health effects in exposure to certain chemicals. Substances that cause allergy is called allergen. Person’s immune system get activated and create symptoms to recognise effect of that chemical. The word chemical allergy itself mentions that, the allergy created by chemicals.
This allergy develops in two phases. Firstly, the exposure to specific chemical activate the immune system to produce antibodies. Secondly, more and regular exposure of that chemical create hyper activeness of immune system and bring symptoms over the body.
Cause of chemical allergy
Chemical allergy is caused due to hypersensitivity of body’s immune system. This condition in not common to all humans. For this kind of allergy, sensitivity of skin matters. Not all among us have chemical allergy because our body’s immune system do not over react towards that chemical and have antibodies in our body. Chemical allergy appears when exposure of chemical is excessive, that can harm body.
In some cases, even if you are using chemical based products for long but chemical allergy can attack your immune system.
Harmful chemicals in daily use products
The world is occupying chemicals everywhere, personal care products, cleaners, washing agents, fragrances. All these are chemical based formulation that are used in our day to day life. These solution have harmful chemicals that are unfriendly to our skin.
Skin is the main organ to show there harmful effects. These are known as symptoms. Skin in the first one to get in touch with chemicals. Some harmful chemicals found in daily use products are :-
1) Sodium Lauryl sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a kind of chemical that are used in shampoos, body wash, toothpaste and foaming creams. This chemical can travel easily inside skin to other organs. It can generate toxicity in excessive utilisation. They absorb moisture and oil of body to make it scaly. It creates rashes and itching on the area of contact. It causes hair fall and dandruff like appearance of hair scalp.
2) Parabens
These are a group of chemical preservatives that are used in personal care products. It can penetrate under skin that can create rashes on the skin and organ toxicity inside body. Many results have showed that they can damage reproductive organs.
3) Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
SLES is a chemical that can cause damage to kidneys. It is contaminated by 1,4-dioxane which is a by product of ethylene oxide. This chemical is used to convert harsh petroleum ingredients into gentle one. It can also penetrate easily into skin. It has been considered as a carcinogen. It have long lasting properties which body can not metabolise.
4) Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
This chemical is widely used in creams and lotions. It is petroleum based chemical which is also contaminated by 1,4-dioxane. It is highly porous that can penetrate into skin. It is also considered as a carcinogen.
5) Petrochemicals
These are present in perfumes and personal care products. It is highly toxic and are harmful for skin. It produce adverse effects on liver, CNS, contact dermatitis, organ toxicity and other skin problems. It is combined with 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde in many other health products. It is counted as one of the carcinogen.
Symptoms of chemical allergy
Chemical allergy can be diagnosed by some symptoms. These symptoms appear after over utilisation of that chemical in daily life or may affect on body in less contact as per allergy.
Some common symptoms are:-
- Red skin
- Scaly patches
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Sun sensitivity
- Darkened skin
- Blisters
- Cracked skin
Treatment of Chemical allergy
Doctors and chemist suggest some medications to avoid chemical allergy.
Histamines are responsible for producing allergies in body. So to reduce its affect, anti-histamines and steroids are recommended. Some antibiotics are also helpful to treat chemical allergies. Some ointments are also recommended to bring out external recovery.
Conclusion
The chemicals used in personal care products and daily use items are harmful at some extent. These products should be used in a limited quantity as per directions.
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