topic Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash in Community Chat

If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

OooLaLa — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 18:06:25 GMT

I post very infrequently and truly have no agenda, but I feel the need to share my experience in the hope of possibly informing others who might be having similar experiences and are desperate for answers.

I have had very painful issues with a rash on my hands for well over a year. In December, I developed a severely uncomfortable, disfiguring facial rash, which has recurred several times. I have made several trips to my general physician and have been on two rounds of Prednisone and a around of antibiotics. A dermatologist said it was a contact dermatitis and that I could do allergy testing. I make a diligent effort as best I can to use and eat "natural" and organic products and even stopped vitamin supplements and everything I could think of which I thought might be the underlying cause.

Through a chain of events and information, I came upon websites which contained facial photos nearly identical to what I had been experiencing. The common denominator is an anti-microbial, ironically often found in "natural" products, called methylisothiazolinone. It has many derivatives and "aliases," often shortened to MIT, and has the dubious honor of being named "Allergen of the Year 2013." Yet, we hear nothing about it. Sure enough, it was in my so-called "natural" laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, hair conditioners and cosmetics. Europe seems to be ahead of the U. S. in recognizing this problem. MIT is even in baby products. Possible serious side effects go even beyond skin issues.

This problem has cost quite a bit of money out-of-pocket because I haven't met my considerable insurance deductible. It has cost me weeks out of my life because I was embarrassed and didn't feel like going out, but still had to meet my work obligations. And the pain and discomfort of severe stinging, itching, swelling, bleeding and peeling are hard to put into words. The photos in the links below are good examples.

I would urge everybody with unexplained skin issues to look at the products you are using, even the "natural" and "organic" ones, be a diligent label reader and to familiarize yourselves with the other names this chemical is called, which you will find in the links below.

And I would urge manufacturers to have a conscience and protect their customers, who put their trust in them and spend their hard-earned money on their products. This has been a terrible experience, and the healing process is slow.

<Update 8/31/16: Manufacturers of some of the products listed in these links may have removed MI from their products.>

http://www.coffeeandvanilla.com/methylisothiazolinone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylisothiazolinone

<Update 8/31/16: Information on this page appears to have been revised since I originally posted.>

https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=72

https://www.google.com/search?q=methylisothiazolinone+allergy+symptoms&biw=1280&bih=603&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj28JTA59_NAhXDTSYKHVBkClAQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1.5

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

excpa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:15:24 GMT

Thanks for posting this. I went through a similar episode with peeling skin patches on my face. I found medicated powder (like Gold Bond) helped some. Eventually, most of it cleared away but I still have some moments. A former doctor said it would clear up when the weather changed, one of the reasons he is a former . With the increasing use of unknown additives in food and household products, it's a wonder there is anyone at all functional at any level.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

henderson — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:17:06 GMT

This ingredient affected me. I was using Kirkland brand wipes (similar to Cottonelle bathrom wipes) and I got a very bad rash -- unfortunately, I did not figure out what was the cause nor did my physician. It was so painful. Finally I googled that ingredient and sure enough that was the cause. I contacted Costcp and they must have had lots of complaints because they removed that ingredient! I'm using Nellie's Laundry Soap which contains All Natural Laundy Soda, Sodium Silicate, Surfactant derived from Coconut Oil if you haven't found a good laundry detergent.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

mantaraye — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:38:19 GMT

I sympathize with your condition. I experienced the same cracked, bleeding and painful symptons when using gel nails. I had to stop having my nails done and the fingers healed completely. Dermatologist aslo diagnosed it as contact dermatitis.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

athenian — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:40:43 GMT

Thank you so much for posting this. I checked out the household products list, and there is my "natural" dish liquid and counter cleaner. It's maddening that so many of the products that have it are purchased to avoid this kind of chemical.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

LTT1 — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:44:50 GMT

@OooLaLa

Metho (MIT) has been removed from my favorite wipes by Huggies. I do swear that this ingredient killed germs very efficiently.

But it has been removed and at first I was disheartened.

However, your experience with it is terrible.

I wish you well... the manufacturers might reimburse you with free, MIT-free products if you contact them.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

Mothertrucker — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:57:08 GMT

Thank you for this!

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

Marp — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:09:48 GMT

I urge y'all, just as I urge my family members, do not become complacent by the words all natural. Just because it comes from nature does not mean it is safe. Curare, arsenic, lead, belladonna and many, many plants are naturally occurring substances but are certainly not safe.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

HappyDaze — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:12:43 GMT

This ingredient is in many many products- skincare, haircare, dish soaps, hand soaps, household cleaners, etc. So if you are one of the ones allergic to it, you must read labels of anything that comes into contact with your skin, scalp, hair.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

OooLaLa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:35:54 GMT

@Marp, I totally agree that "natural" on a label is meaningless, except for a higher price tag. The Wikipedia information is alarming, particularly regarding MI's effect on developing neurons. What could be the effect on babies and children? My skin still is struggling to heal.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 17:15:31 GMT

Thanks for the info.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

butterfly123 — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 17:44:07 GMT

@OooLaLa

I had a rash and went to see several doctors. The product that was causing the rash was Cottonelle TP.

I called the company and talked to two different people. They asked for information, packaging that it came in and ask if I went to the doctor.

I was reimbursed for the cost of their product and all doctors visits and lab work that was done.

The claim was paid out by their insurance company.

Please contact the companies, that make the products that caused your rash.

I crossed off my SS number and confidential info on the bills I sent.

If I can help you, or answer any questions please let me know.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

OooLaLa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:00:40 GMT

@butterfly123, thank you! When I began reading labels of products I was using, I filled up a large plastic bag to be tossed. It would take forever to try to be reimbursed. I just want to heal and to share what I've learned. I also would like to see such a harmful chemical removed from products, as were sulfates, DEA and other "poisons" causing harm to unsuspecting consumers. And I promise, I'm not a fanatic! I have photos which would explain where I'm coming from.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

tends2dogs — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:15:02 GMT

I find this alarming and feel we all need to wake up!

I read a few labels after reading this thread and found that SKINN's Enzyme and Olive Oil Wipes contain this chemical. His AM and PM cleansers, Hand Restore, and the DermApeel do not.

I would love to read an extensive list of products that do not contain it. We can share here and help one another.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

Imadickens — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:24:41 GMT

when I worked at one school I found the skin on my finger tips kept cracking deeply. I was embarrassed wearing band aids on my fingers all the time. A cafeteria worker noticed and asked me about them. It turns out she, and many others in school had the same problem. We figured out it was the liquid soap they filled the dispensers with! We began bringing our own soap and we all cleared up!

its hard to know what to use any more!

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

butterfly123 — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:26:23 GMT

@OooLaLa

I don't think you are a fanatic. You are however very kind and a great advocate for sharing your experience. The doctor's kept telling me I had a yeast infection and did the tests and they were negative.

I called the clinic and asked to be seen again and a retired doctor was filling in for vacations.

He was very thorough and told me the area looked like a chemical burn. We discussed if I had been using something different. Soaps, laundry detergent etc. and I had not.

I was very mindful of when the pain increased and discontinued the Cottonelle. 24-36 hours later the pain had decreased significantly.

I looked on the Internet and found lawsuits that had been filed and also noticed the huge amount of ingredients banned in Europe.

When I called the company, they would not tell me all the items that are used to make their product. However, the company was very quick to send prepaid labels and boxes for the products and medical bills to be mailed back to them.

Some companies don't want the consumer to find out what is in their products.

I agree that dangerous chemicals and additives should be banned.

The word "all natural" should be banned from labels also.

I hope many people read your post and read the links you provided. This will help many who had the wrong diagnosis as you experienced.

Be well and thank you for the information.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

OooLaLa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:28:18 GMT

@tends2dogs, I really didn't intend to name names, but unfortunately, the product you mentioned was among the products I reacted to before I was aware of MI, and I had to toss them. I was VERY disappointed, and believe me, I've been purchasing products from that line for years. And your idea of informing and helping each other is excellent!

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:37:39 GMT

I'm sorry for all the adverse health problems that people have had to all the different stuff that is out there.

It is great that people have been able to eliminate the problem chemicals that their bodies react adversly to, but it is impossible to eliminate ALL chemicals from everything, because, even water is a chemical, but we can do better.

People think that when they see the words "all natural" that that means "safe".

Well, heck, poison oak is all natural, yet, if I come in contact with it, I'll break out in hives, while others won't.

What you are allergic to, I may not be, and just because I'm not allergic to it today, doesn't mean that I won't be tomorrow.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

butterfly123 — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:47:51 GMT

@tends2dogs

You have a great idea of sharing and helping each other with products that contain problematic ingredients.

Also @OooLaLa I wish I could find the chart with the ingredients that are banned in Europe.

Posting that list would also be beneficial.

Re: If You Are Experiencing Skin Rash

OooLaLa — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:03:15 GMT

butterfly123, this might be a good starting point: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=cosmetic+and+cleaning+chemicals+banned+in+europe

Not sure this would cover Cottonelle and some of the other products mentioned in the posts.

It IS encouraging to see that many who have posted are now doing well!