Contact Dermatitis
“Contact dermatitis is the name for any skin inflammation that occurs when the skin's surface comes in contact with a substance originating outside the body. There are two kinds of contact dermatitis, irritant and allergic.
Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the more commonly reported of the two kinds of contact dermatitis, and is seen in about 80% of cases. It can be caused by soaps, detergents, solvents, adhesives, fiberglass, and other substances that are able to directly injure the skin. Most attacks are slight and confined to the hands and forearms, but can affect any part of the body that comes in contact with an irritating substance. The symptoms can take many forms: redness, itching, crusting, swelling, blistering, oozing, dryness, scaliness, thickening of the skin, and a feeling of warmth at the site of contact. In extreme cases, severe blistering can occur and open sores can form. Jobs that require frequent skin exposure to water, such as hairdressing and food preparation, can make the skin more susceptible to ICD.
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) results when repeated exposure to an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) triggers an immune response that inflames the skin. Tens of thousands of drugs, pesticides, cosmetics, food additives, commercial chemicals, and other substances have been identified as potential allergens. Fewer than 30, however, are responsible the majority of ACD cases. Common culprits include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac; fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products; latex items; and formaldehyde. Many people find that they are allergic to the nickel in inexpensive jewelry. ACD is usually confined to the area of skin that comes in contact with the allergen, typically the hands or face. Symptoms range from mild to severe and resemble those of ICD; a patch test may be needed to determine which kind of contact dermatitis a person is suffering from.”*
Read more about it: ESCD (European Society of Contact Dermatitis)
Culprit: PPD Hair Dye
Hair color manufacturers of chemical hair dye are very happy that there is a dramatic surge in the number of individuals dying their hair in recent years. This includes men and women of all ages, from pre-teens to the elderly. The bad news is that there has also been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of allergic reactions such as: contact dermatitis, severe facial swelling, chronic illnesses and sadly, for some, death. Along with other chemicals in hair dye, the main culprit is para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Concerns about allergic reactions have also impacted laws in many parts of the globe. In fact, several European countries have banned the use of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) in hair dye.
Read more about allergic reactions and PPD Hair Dye:
NCBI (U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), "Allergic contact dermatitis from hair dye and development of lichen simplex chronicus"
DermNet NZ, "Allergy to paraphenylenediamine" (in hair dye)
In an upcoming article we will share actual experiences from sufferers of allergic reactions.
*Source: Medical Dictionary, freedictionary.com
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Author: L.J. O'Neal, writer and researcher. (L.J. is also a Lustrous Henna® user.)
©2012. L.J. O’Neal. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Do not copy or reprint this article without the consent of the author or Saba Botanical of USA.
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