Subtle Places For Allergens To Hide
If your allergies are not severe, you may think a little bit won’t hurt you, or if you don’t break out in a rash, there’s no problem. But the truth is, you may not know what it’s doing to your body. Many of the effects of allergens can be subtle but reactions may intensify with multiple symptoms that may leave you back at square one. It’s best to be safe and read all labels.
Be especially cognizant of anything that can be absorbed sublingually. When a substance is placed under your tongue, it diffuses through mucous membranes and absorbs into the vast capillary system. As a result, the substance has a fairly direct route into your bloodstream.
This is not an inclusive list by any means, but only meant to jog your brain to think in terms of your own lifestyle and places you might not have thought to look for allergens.
- Suntan lotion
- Shaving cream
- Shampoo
- Hair conditioner
- Hair coloring
- Perm solutions
- Facial cleansers
- Moisturizing lotions
- Foundational makeup
- Eye shadows
- Mascara
- Lash conditioners/thickeners
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Polishing agents dental hygienists use (insist on knowing–most agents have gluten)
- Body wash
- Hair spray
- Household detergents including dish soap
- Prescription medications (ask your pharmacist to see the inactive ingredients)
- Generic drugs as opposed to brand name drugs
- The hard coating encasing pills
- Ingredients used to make gel caps for capsules
- Lotion used in ultrasound (ask in advance and insist on knowing)
- Nonstick cooking sprays
- Spices
- Natural flavorings (that obscure listing at the end of ingredients that can be anything)
- Products you’ve always been able to trust before (because formulas change without notice to the public)
- Laundry detergent
- Fabric softener
- Dryer sheets
- Moist flushable wipes
- Toilet paper
- Anything that goes on your body, in your body or can be inhaled
(Connelly. Why We Take Medicines Under Our Tongue)
