Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

Top Non-Food Items that Trigger a Food Allergy Reaction

People with known food allergies become well-practiced in reading food labels and ensuring that the harmful allergens are kept at bay. However, did you know that there are non-food items that can trigger the same reactions in you? You don't always have to ingest something to garner a reaction; just touching them can have the same or similar effect.

You should keep a lookout for products that you use on your body or that you might touch with your hands. The skin on your face is the most sensitive and if you have an allergen on your hands and then touch your face, you are more likely to kick off an allergic reaction. Whether you eat a product or consume it in some other way, be sure to read the ingredients label to check for harmful allergens. Here are a few examples of non-food items that could be harmful:

1. Herbal supplements, vitamins and prescribed and over the counter medications - The supplements of OTC medications will have a clear list of active ingredients to peruse but sometimes, it is the inactive ingredients that will trigger a reaction. As for prescribed medications, you will want to ask the pharmacist if they can provide product information for you.

Some OTC drugs and supplements use common food items to bind ingredients together or the ingredients may have been harvested with known allergens. For instance, some supplements use a type of lactose found in milk products or starch derived from different plants like wheat or corn as the clear casing around the medication. The problem is, these ingredients are some that can trigger a food allergic reaction. Supplements for joint health may include coral or shells from shellfish and therefore are another potentially dangerous problem for allergy sufferers.

2. Beauty products - Lotions for the body and hands as well as shampoos and facial makeup products are notorious for having ingredients related to those found in food that can trigger allergic reactions. If you have an allergy to peanuts and tree nuts, look for the oils derived from them in your shampoos, conditions, foundation makeup and more.

Extracts from certain fibers and plants like oats, wheat and soy are common. If these ingredients trigger reactions when consumed, they are likely to do the same when applied on the body itself as well. Of course, milk is a common ingredient in bath bubbles and lotions for soft skin and if you cannot consume any dairy, then you will want to steer clear of any products that list some derivative of milk.

3. Toothpaste and mouthwash - Traditional toothpastes are often quite safe and rarely trigger allergic reactions. However, if you are allergic to any citrus foods or even cinnamon or strawberries, you might want to check any toothpaste that touts these flavors. In addition, natural or organic toothpastes with no fluoride and even mouthwashes often rely on extracts from fruits and spices to make teeth brushing and rinsing more palatable. Therefore, always read the labels and check the ingredients.

There are other common products that you may associate with triggering your food allergies. Extend that food label reading diligence to other products you use in and outside the home as well.