Reader:
I’m having trouble finding a dandruff shampoo. I haven’t used one since all this (developing a PG allergy), but the cold is getting to me. Any recommendations?
The Allergista:
Yes, actually! I alternate Neutrogena’s T-Gel with Prell. Neither of them have overwhelmingly great scents or anything like that, but it does the trick in the shampoo department.
Reader:
That is what I got, but was worried about sodium laureth sulfate. Something I read at one point associated it with stuff to avoid with pg allergy. But I just looked it up, and it is not remotely the same thing. I think I’m going to try it and see how it works. Especially since you do ok with it. Thanks!
Hi! I am going to weigh in on this too as I have another suggestion for a PG and SLS free shampoo. The one I use is called Free and Clear Shampoo and you can find it at this link: http://www.psico.com/products/free_and_clear_shampoo.cfm I bought mine from Drugstore.com as it isn’t sold in stores near me.
I don’t have a PG allergy to my knowledge and I don’t actively have dandruff, but this shampoo says that it helps remove the scales of dandruff. I use this myself and it has zero scent and is very mild, and is great at leaving the hair clean.
Thanks for the suggestions! I think the doctors gave me a sample of that. The stores around here also don’t carry it :-/
I used the Neutrogena T/Gel in past years combined with Scalpicin and the two worked well and my scalp is rarely an issue. There is some occasional dryness and and itch espcially in the winter but hardly noticeable and not bothersome. I did go back today to look at the ingredients and noticed the ACTIVE ingredients in these products were fine for me (coal tar in the T/Gel and Salicylic acid in the Scalpicin; however, the inactive ingredients in both include propylene glycol(Scalpicin) and parabens in the T/Gel. Do you know anything about inactive ingredients and how that plays into an allergy? Could they only be a problem when they are active? I wonder because the two products combined worked so well for me despite my PG and paraben allergy.
My logic is that the active ingredients are what make the product “anti-dandruff” or “moisturizing”. The inactive ingredients are there to dissolve the active ingredients in and give it the correct texture of body wash or bar soap. I haven’t used Scalpinin and I don’t have problems with parabens, but my guess to this would be that because you’re rotating the shampoos, you’re not reacting as much. It may only be the slight itch now. Your body reacts differently to different allergens. I react immediately to nickel and it lasts for at least a week. I react almost immediately to cats and it goes away after a few hours. Other allergens seem to be more of a cumulative thing. I would suggest getting rid of the Scalpicin and using this chart to find a new shampoo for your rotation: http://www.scheman.com/images/Brochures/acag.pdf
Yes, I have rotated shampoos so that makes sense. I agree with all that you say. My allergist has said the same thing. Glad to hear you can keep your cat.
I share what products work for me but always like to inform others about the ingredients in case they have allergies to them. It’s always a risk with products. Each person has to weigh it out for themselves. I can only share my experience. I find a lot through trial and error really paying attention to my reaction as well as with my first batch of patch testing. That was so helpful. I recommend to anyone who can do that. I’m considering further patch testing later but right now my system is too overloaded to add anymore allergens to it.
I feel like extensive patch testing should be done as part of a routine physical…. It’s becoming more and more common these days and people seem to be having a hard time getting to the doctor. I wish stuff like this was free :-/
I agree. I really feel for those who don’t have the insurance or medical benefits to get some help.
And yes, it’s way too common. Makes you wonder exactly what goes on in the environment and food that’s keeping people sick. BTW, I was wondering how your doctors feel about the relationship between allergies/eczema and diet. Some of my dermatologists say they are not connected while my allergists believe there can be. What to make of it all? Either way, it certainly is beneficial to eat healthy, allergies or not.
Do you mean: Do the doctors think I can have skin reactions from eating food? The answer is yes. I know this because Dr. Scheman said the next step in battling my nickel allergy (if I wasn’t improving by avoiding touching nickel) was to go on a nickel-free or reduced nickel diet. And also, I’ve woken up in the past, not showered, didn’t change clothes or ANYTHING at all. And then, if I start drinking coffee, the skin on my hands will begin freaking out. Coffee is the only X factor…. All doctors don’t seem to be on the same page about allergies…. it seems like some don’t even believe in them from what I hear, which is weird to me. How could you possibly say allergies don’t exist or aren’t real? if you expose us to something outside of our ecosystem, there’s a chance we will react bc it’s not part of our world. You gonna tell me allergies don’t exist then….?
Yes, skin reactions from eating food. Exactly. I hear some people say changing their diet as helped while others have said that it didn’t make a difference in controlling their eczema. My issue right now especially is that I’m itchy and flared all the time that it’s a challenge to pinpoint what’s causing the problem especially where food is concerned. I know for certain I react to avocado and bananas because I react the same whenever I eat them which I don’t anymore cause it’s just not worth it. I get an itchy throat with bananas every time unlike any other food. And avocados I can’t even hold down. Violently ill. They tie those particular food allergies with latex allergies and I know that I’m allergic to latex so it seems to fit. So, I’m a believer in food allergies from personal experience but I’m still wondering to what extent they affect my eczema not seeing hives or a rash develop soonafter.
Can’t believe some doctors believe allergies don’t exist. They must be out of their mind. That would be awesome but so not true. You can’t make this stuff up. I always tell my husband to look at my skin and that tells how well I’m feeling on any given day.
I found another link from the National Eczema Association. They talk about several things including food allergies. Very interesting! It’s a great resource and I even found a support group in my area.
http://www.nationaleczema.org/articles/everyday-skin-care-maintaining-skin-integrity-and-avoiding-inflammation
Thanks for the link!