Jingle all the way to an allergy-free holiday

The season of giving is upon us, but before you start shopping for loved ones, remember those in your life suffering from allergies. Many items contain allergens that can exacerbate respiratory or dermatological issues. A Baylor College of Medicine allergist offers insight for those with sensitivities.

Fragrance

People sensitive to fragrances might display respiratory and skin issues. If one has poorly controlled allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or asthma, fragrances can trigger symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Patients with contact dermatitis or eczema might have flare ups or rashes due to fragrances. If you’re shopping for a gift for someone with a fragrance sensitivity, avoid gifting scented candles, diffusers, colognes, perfumes, shampoos, soaps with fragrance, skincare products with fragrance or detergents with fragrance. Instead, get fragrance-free items.

“There are certain ingredients we test for called fragrance mixes, which are strong allergens,” said Dr. Evan Li, assistant professor of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor. “Another substance used in fragrances called Balsam of Peru is a ubiquitous allergen that can trigger respiratory and skin symptoms.”

Patients with respiratory airway or allergic issues like asthma or rhinitis should not receive scented products. Skincare products contain different fragrances, so avoid gifting those products to loved ones with skin conditions.

Jewelry

Nickel is the most common skin sensitizer among jewelry. Nickel often is found in costume jewelry and less expensive jewelry, as well as belt buckles, wrist watches or any metal accessories. These items can cause contact dermatitis, which is a delayed rash.

“You wear the jewelry for a few days, and it doesn’t come up immediately, but a few days later, the rash appears,” Li said.

For those allergic to nickel, buy gold, silver, platinum or stainless steel jewelry and refrain from gifting costume jewelry or cheaper jewelry.

Gold and silver also are contact allergens, although the risk is much lower than nickel. Gold and silver allergic patients who are not allergic to nickel can wear nickel, platinum or stainless steel.

“I wouldn’t say metal-allergic patients have to avoid all types of jewelry. Typically, a person is allergic to one or two types of metal,” Li said. “We usually go by their history to determine the allergy. We can do patch testing to elucidate as well.”

Fabric

Fabric sensitivity, such as to cotton or polyester, is not a common skin allergen.

“Oftentimes it’s not the fabric itself, but the dyes that go into the textiles that cause reaction,” Li said.

Common contact allergens in textiles that can cause contact dermatitis and exacerbate eczema are dispersed blue (blue dye), dispersed orange (orange dye), dispersed yellow (yellow dye) and carmine (red dye). Check labels and avoid products with these dyes for those with sensitive skin.

Gifts for allergy sufferers

Li recommends gifts for people with severe allergies this holiday season:

• Air purifier or vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that will suck up more small particulates in the home.
• Dehumidifier to eliminate humidity in the home, which will reduce mold and dust mites.
• Dust mite bedding covers to help contain dust mites within the mattress and pillows so they don’t get on you while you sleep, causing skin and respiratory issues.

By Homa Warren