If you have food allergies, be sure to read labels on even non-food items!

[Kiwibird]

I guess you should never take anything for granted that non-food items will be free of things you're allergic to, and need to read the ingredients on EVERYTHING. Bought a different brand of lip balm without thinking to read the ingredients. Tried it on this morning and within minutes my lips started itching, swelling and getting blotchy along with the area around my mouth. Looked at the ingredients, and sure enough- coconut oil is the FIRST ingredient. I have several food allergies and intolorances, but coconut is the worst. I've been allergic to coconuts my whole life and it's one of only 3 things that will actually cause a swelling and itching reaction. Now I just want to take 80 grit sandpaper to my lips to stop the itching! I look like one of those women who've had too many lip injections. I would have never guessed coconut would be in lip balm. Just giving a friendly reminder, if you're allergic to something, it could be in ANYTHING...

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh no! . That's awful. Goes to show if there is a known allergen, to look for it in everything including things to put ON the body, not just IN. I hope you stopped yourself from rubbing 80 grit sandpaper on your lips for relief :52:!

Don is SO allergic to some products that it's unreal. Unscented, hypoallergenic, "made for BABIES!" sunscreen will make him itch like crazy and break out in hives! Or at best at least itch to the point that he can't wear it.
Even hair gel... Even if it's a tiny bit and not even touching his skin, the next day he'll have a reaction on his forehead. Goes without saying he doesn't wear cologne.

 

[JerseyWendy]

That's a GREAT reminder, April!!

I'm sorry you are itching so badly at the moment! I will HAVE to take this opportunity and make a funny though: I wish I could find something OTC that'll 'plump' up my lips a bit. :54:

I'm highly allergic to baby oil. If exposed I'll resemble someone who has a bad case of chickenpox within less than 15 minutes. :32:

 

[Scott]

Good points! The fact is anyone can develop an allergy at anytime in their life! As they say in the financial community, past precedence does not guarantee future results.

Now I just hope I don't develop an allergy to chocolate! I love chocolate, particularly the darker variety. A co-worker developed an allergy to chocolate in her late 20s.

 

[Kiwibird]

Oh no! . That's awful. Goes to show if there is a known allergen, to look for it in everything including things to put ON the body, not just IN. I hope you stopped yourself from rubbing 80 grit sandpaper on your lips for relief !

Don is SO allergic to some products that it's unreal. Unscented, hypoallergenic, "made for BABIES!" sunscreen will make him itch like crazy and break out in hives! Or at best at least itch to the point that he can't wear it.
Even hair gel... Even if it's a tiny bit and not even touching his skin, the next day he'll have a reaction on his forehead. Goes without saying he doesn't wear cologne.
Today 10:38 AM

I totally get that! At least he saves a lot of money on personal care products right I don't use those products either due to past reactions (and not really knowing what particular ingredient caused them). My dad is severely allergic to soap, and I've always gotten rashes and dry skin from it. Laundry detergent too. Theres just so many ingredients that 'hit the market' every year and don't have to go through very rigorous testing to see if they are actually safe, long term health impacts ext... I find it best to avoid all of them and if absolutely necessary to use (like certain cleaners) wear rubber gloves and ventilate the area.

I wish I could find something OTC that'll 'plump' up my lips a bit.

Wanna trade looks? Itching comes included with 'plumper' lips though! I'm glad I didn't actually ingest any and that the reaction has stayed localized to my face. If I actually INGEST coconut, I would look a whole lot like you describe your reaction to baby oil with a puffer fish face/hands/feet There have been a few mistaken encounters with coconut over the years and it isn't pretty!

Good points! The fact is anyone can develop an allergy at anytime in their life! As they say in the financial community, past precedence does not guarantee future results.

Now I just hope I don't develop an allergy to chocolate! I love chocolate, particularly the darker variety. A co-worker developed an allergy to chocolate in her late 20s.

That is very true too! I've been allergic to coconuts since the first time I tried a food with them in it, but I have developed more and more intolorences and allergies over the years to foods, food additives, medication, vitamin capsules (the actual capsule and binders, not the nutrient), cleaning products, beauty products, scented things ext... Dairy being the most recent. It just keeps getting worse and worse I keep detailed food journals to track everything I eat. I've been on a vegan high-raw diet since June (after the dairy allergy started to worsen) to try and have complete control over what's going in my body. I still slip up and buy coconut-contaning lip balm:52:

Curious has your friend tried carob as a chocolate alternative? It has a similar flavor to chocolate and they make it in a powdered form and little chips (like chocolate chips) for baking It can also be added to smoothies and nut/grain milks for a chocolate-like flavor. It's also safe for parrots, unlike chocolate. Since virtually all chocolate contains dairy, I also had to stop eating it too.