According to an NIH study, “Isothiazolinones, used as preservatives, are known to be skin sensitizers. Although cosmetics represent their main source, occupational exposure may also be a significant origin of eczema (1).”
Isothiazolinones are a type of preservative used in household and personal care/beauty products. You want to espeavoid methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchlorosiothiazolinone (MCI), and benzisothiazolinone.
Ingredients to Avoid
Cocamidoropyl Betaine
Diazolidinyl Urea
DMDM Hydantoin
Ethanolamine Benzophenones
Fragrance / Parfum
Formaldehyde
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Lanolin
Methylisothiazolinone (MI)*
Methylchlorosiothiazolinone (MCI)*
Parabens
Propylene Glycol
Phenoxyethanol
Tocopherol
Tocopherol Acetate
Quaternium 15
The European Union for Consumer Safety has banned MI and MCI use in leave-on products!!!
Chlorine Removal
An AAP study of over 800 children (2) showed that chlorine exposure can have increased effects on children with allergies or asthma; and children without allergies or asthma were also effected by prolonged and regular chlorine exposure. Prolonged chlorine exposure can also exacerbate eczema or cause atopic dermatitis (3), dry hair/skin, dental erosion, bladder cancer, rectal cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
When Swimming:
Vitamin C Spray: Vitamin C helps neutralize and undo the damage of chlorine exposure. You can make a topical spray using Vitamin C powder to use after chlorine exposure (or Rowe Casa makes a swim spray with Vitamin C). 1tsp Vitamin C to 8oz of water in a spray bottle. *Vitamin C degrades quickly in water, so the solution will only last 24 hours.
Apply an Oil Barrier: To further protect the skin, you can apply an oil barrier (like coconut) with a mixture of the above Vitamin C spray before chlorine exposure.
Add Vitamin C Powder to Sunscreen: You can also add Vitamin C powder to your sunscreen of choice before application (2tsp powder for every 1c sunscreen).
When Bathing:
If your city water contains chlorine, you can use the Vitamin C spray above as well as a bath/shower filter.
See my eczema Amazon list for drinking water filters.
Best Milk: Cow
An inability to process lactose is rarely the cause of eczema as this is pretty rare, and due to a genetic condition (galactosemia). However, secondary lactose intolerance (when irritation or damage to the gut lining impairs the production of lactase) and milk protein allergies can cause flare ups.
In these cases, the type of milk your drink could potentially cause or worsen flare ups. Depending on the dairy cows and pasteurization process, milk could be full of antibiotics, hormones, steroids, and pesticides that can cause Inflammation resulting in eczema flare ups.
Raw Milk - this milk comes directly from the dairy cow and has not been processed or pasteurized. It has the highest nutrition profile, is easier to digest, and lacks inflammatory properties. However, not everyone is comfortable with raw milk or has access to safe raw milk (it’s very important you get it from a trustworthy licensed source). In that case, 100% grass-fed milk and a great option.
100% Grass-Fed Milk - these dairy cows never eat any grain, and their milk has the next highest nutritional value - especially Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids.
Best Milk: Goat
Compared to cow milk, goat milk forms a smaller, softer, and looser curd in the stomach which makes digestion quicker and easier. The fats in goat milk are also easier to digest, because they are smaller than cow milk fats.
Goat milk also contains more gut-supportive prebiotic oligosaccharides, and has superior mineral bioavailability. And the steroid and antibiotic use in cows is not as widespread in the goat industry.
If someone has a cow protein allergy, often times they can handle goat milk since the protein properties are not the same.
Sources:
1 Hrairi A, Kotti N, Baklouti M, Bahloul E, Sellami I, Dhouib F, Hammami KJ, Masmoudi ML, Turki H, Hajjaji M. Allergic contact dermatitis to isothiazolinones in a rubber factory: A case report.
2 Alfred Bernard, PhD; Marc Nickmilder, PhD; Catherine Voisin, MSc; Antonia Sardella, MD. Impact of Chlorinated Swimming Pool Attendance on the Respiratory Health of Adolescents. October 1, 2009.
3 O'Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M. Pooling the evidence: A review of swimming and atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2023 May-Jun;40(3):407-412. doi: 10.1111/pde.15325. Epub 2023 Apr 7. PMID: 37029288; PMCID: PMC10946598.
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