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Chemicals to Avoid in Hair and Skin Care Products
Is Your Shampoo and Conditioner Interfering With Your Hormones and Making You Fat? What about its effect on the environment? The EPA has found synthetic hormone-disrupting chemicals in shampoo preservatives. Many of them can be found in products that claim to be ‘natural’ and ‘organic.’ The most disturbing of these is antimicrobial preservatives called parabens which have proven to disrupt the endocrine system. So what is an endocrine disruptor and why should it concern you? Primarily because they mimic, disrupt or block the actions of your natural hormones and interfere with your body’s hormonal pathways. The hormones carry messages from the brain to every part of your body, every cell, and back comes the response to the brain. So you can imagine if this network of information is being short circuited, or if wrong messages are carried out, you might be in some difficulty! They are found in most personal care products from baby shampoo to anti-aging skin care items - across all price ranges and even in "natural" brands. Avoid buying these and check your house for any old products that have these in them. Unfortunately, if your product came in a box the ingredients list was probably on that - so you'd throw it away and not read the list. The EPA and local department of environmental quality offices are now publishing alerts on these ingredients showing up in the water, harming animals, fish and other aquatic life. Eventually they show up in our drinking water. Remember: everything you put in your body or on your hair and skin ends up going down the drain (shower, sinks or the toilet). Alot of make up and skin care ingredients also become dust in your home, car and office as you shed the skin/hair cells containing them. Dust that creates a situation we call "bioaccumulation" and that is a bad thing!
Check your product labels for these terms:
- Propylparaben
- Parahydroxybenzoic acid
- Parahydroxybenzoate
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
- Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
- Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
- Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
- Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
Toxic Ingredient: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Hard to believe but the FDA allows this to be in most cleansing products. Even in creams and lotions meant to moisturize your face and body. It's the same ingredient which produces all that foam and lather when you shampoo your hair and its also the ingredient used in car washes and garages as a degreasing agent. And not only does it act as a penetration enhancer (allowing other potentially toxic ingredients to slip into your bloodstream), but according to the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews”, research studies on SLS have shown links to...
- Irritation of skin and eyes
- Organ toxicity
- Development / reproductive toxicity
- Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicological, and biochemical or cellular changes
- Possible mutations and cancer
You might think that because your skin is about one tenth of an inch thick, it protects your body from absorbing the many things you come into contact with, but the truth is, when you consume toxins in foods, such as pesticides in fruit and vegetables, the enzymes in your saliva and stomach often break them down and flush them out of your body. Food also passes through your liver and kidneys. The toxins which make it through are detoxified to varying degrees by enzymes before they reach the remainder of your body.
However when toxins are absorbed through your skin, they bypass your liver and enter your bloodstream and tissues – with absolutely no protection whatsoever.
Think of it like this: when you put shampoo or conditioner into your hair, the 20 blood vessels, 650 sweat glands, and 1,000 nerve endings soak in the toxins.
And some studies suggest skin can sometimes absorb more than your digestive tract. According to evidence presented at 1978 Congressional hearings, the absorption of the carcinogen nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA), which is commonly found in shampoo products, was shown to be more than 100 times greater when exposure came through your skin than via your mouth.
Safer household cleansers?
Almost all household cleaning products contain some toxic ingredients, and many contain carcinogens or suspected carcinogens. However, the danger the chemicals pose really depends on how often you use the products and the length of time you're exposed to the fumes. If you use an air cleaning filtering system, check to make sure it filters more than just dust.Here's a list of several of the common chemicals found in household products and the symptoms they can cause:
The Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) advises buying only nontoxic, unscented cleaning products. Look for them in health-food and other specialty stores. Another possibility is to substitute gentler products such as lemons, baking soda, Borax, vinegar, salt and vegetable oil-based liquid soap for most household cleaning.
- Petroleum distillates. Found in metal polishes, these chemicals can irritate the eyes and lungs; longer-term exposure can damage the nervous system, kidneys, eyes, and skin.
- Phenol and cresol. Found in disinfectants; if ingested can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage.
- Nitrobenzene. Found in furniture and floor polishes; if inhaled can cause shallow breathing; if ingested can cause poisoning and death. The substance has also been linked to cancer and birth defects.
- Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate. Found in toilet-bowl and oven cleaners, these chemicals can burn the skin and cause blindness if splashed in the eyes, and can burn the stomach if ingested.
We just found a great source for safe household products! Check out http://www.begleysbest.com/ and www.biokleen.com
A free resource to check out ingredients on your personal care products is www.ewg.org. It is free but as a not-for-profit endeavor to become the first data base of all man-made chemicals in the world, a donation is greatly appreciate by them!
Skin Cancer Examinations:
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommend that people should perform a skin self-exam once a month. The easiest time to do the exam is after you take a bath or shower. Women may wish to perform their skin self-exam at the same time that they perform their monthly breast self-exam. Ideally, the room should have a full-length mirror and bright lights so that you can see your entire body well. It is very important to be able to examine all areas of your skin, including hard-to-see areas, such as the genitals, buttocks, scalp, and back.
When you are performing the skin self-exam, look for:
* NEW skin markings (e.g., moles, blemishes, colorations, bumps)
* Moles that have CHANGED their size, texture, color, or shape
* Moles or lesions that won't heal or that continue to bleed
* Moles with ragged edges, differences in coloration, or lack of symmetry
# Observe and examine your entire body, both front and back, in the mirror.
# Check under your arms and both sides of each arm.
# Examine your forearms after bending your arms at the elbows, and then look at the palms of your hands and underneath your upper arms.
# Look at the front and back of both legs.
# Look at your buttocks and between your buttocks.
# Examine your genital area.
# Observe your face, neck, back of neck, and scalp. It is best to use both a hand mirror and full-length mirror, along with a comb, to see areas of your scalp.
# Look at your feet, including the soles and the space between your toes.
# Have a partner, friend, or relative help by examining hard-to-see areas.
Learn about Merkel Cell Carcinoma - a newly discovered, aggressive skin cancer!
What is Pityriasis Rosea? The cause of Pityriasis Rosea is not known, but it is commonly believed to be caused by a virus. It is usually seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. More than 75 percent of people with the rash are 10 to 35 years of age.
The condition is more prevalent in spring and fall.What are the symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea?
Pityriasis Rosea usually starts with a pink or tan oval area (sometimes called a herald or mother patch) on the chest or back. The main patch is usually followed (after a couple of weeks) by smaller pink or tan patches elsewhere on the body - usually the back, neck, arms, and legs. The scaly rash usually lasts between four to eight weeks and will usually disappear without treatment.
The following are other common symptoms of Pityriasis Rosea. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:The symptoms of Pityriasis rosea may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
- headaches
- fatigue
- aches
- itching
Pityriasis rosea is usually diagnosed based on a medical history and physical examination. The rash of Pityriasis rosea is unique, and the diagnosis is usually made on the basis of a physical examination. In addition, your physician may order blood tests to help aid in the diagnosis and check the following:
The goal of treatment for Pityriasis rosea is to relieve symptoms associated with the condition, such as itching. There is no cure for Pityriasis rosea. The condition will resolve spontaneously. Treatment may include:
- your age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the rash
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the rash
- your opinion or preference
- daily supplement with anti-inflammatory approach to helping the skin from the inside out, like MSM.
- Medicated lotions and creams (to soothe the itching)
- natural skin care lotions with no parabens, fragrances or artificial ingredients in them (to soothe the itching, relieve inflammation and redness)
- cool baths with or without oatmeal, Dead Sea Salts, MSM crystals, Listerine or Apple Cider Vinegar (to soothe the itching)
- ultraviolet exposure (under a physician's supervision)
- cool compresses (to soothe the affected skin)
- Add natural anti-inflammatories to your daily diet, like ginger root, lemon zest, turmeric, green tea, mint and cilantro.
- Natural sun screens (using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide not chemicals for blocking UV radiation) must be used to protect these vulnerable areas of skin when going outdoors - the immune system of the dermis is compromised whenever there is a chronic skin problem that lasts for weeks, months or years. Sun burns become a serious issue, besides that of skin cancer.
Pityriasis versicolor
Pityriasis versicolor is a common skin condition caused by infection of the dead outer layer of skin cells with a yeast fungus. This causes spots or patches that have either reduced or increased pigmentation - they may be pale and white, brown or even salmon pink. The rash usually begins on the back (or at least this is where people tend to notice it) and slowly spreads. There are often no other symptoms, although sometimes the spots are a little dry and flaky.
A dose of sunshine can make the difference in pigmentation more obvious so many people first discover the rash when they start unwrapping themselves in the spring or summer.
The condition isn't contagious. Most of us carry the yeast which causes it on our skin without problems, until some event or trauma to the skin allows the yeast to set up an infection.
Treatment is simple - you can get antifungal creams or lotions from the pharmacy that must be used regularly all over the skin to clear the fungus. This usually gets rid of the yeast very quickly. However, the skin color of the spots won't change back to normal until the depigmented areas have been shed, which can take weeks. Gently exfoliate the areas on a daily basis to speed this process up. Support your immune system by having a medical or naturopathic doctor treat the systemic yeast (Candida) and make dietary recommendations for you.
Rosacea and Demodex Mites
One of the most common theories is that Rosacea is caused or aggravated by a microscopic pest known as the Demodex mite (Demodex Follicularum). I feel that it is just one of the causes of skin disorders characterized by redness, lumped together in a catch-word known as Rosacea.
Many experts feel that Demodex mites are of no consequence to Rosacea, but when we remove them safely we find that there can be a huge reduction in Rosacea symptoms.
It is entirely possible that the removal procedure has a side effect that is providing the main benefits.
The mites frequently lay in pairs.
The head and neck contain 4 legs
Demodex live around hair follicles and have four short legs, choosing to move mostly at night. The level of infestation increases with age. This infestation is a world-wide phenomenon called "demodicosis" and is usually symptom-free. Reactions and accompanying inflammation can occur in humans. It also occurs in animals, including family pets, leading to skin irritation, hair loss and red rash - known as Mange. People can transfer mites to pets and vice versa.
Fresh skin scrapings viewed under a microscope can reveal the mites which feed on dead cells and skin fats.
The prevalence of this mite in people with Rosacea has been recorded as significantly higher than people without Rosacea:
- an infestation of 51% in Rosacea;
- an infestation of 28% in Eczema;
- an infestation of 31% in Lupus Discoides.
Demodex mites are microscopic, small enough to live inside the weave and fibers of your clothing, bedding carpet and such. They don't bite - they are too small .. they actually live on the skins flakes we shed. When people have problems with dust mites it is because they are actually allergic to the proteins in their saliva and excrement! They are transferred from pets to household fabrics where they wait for a new host to attach to! You!
The irradication of them is a matter of aggressive house cleaning and pet grooming practices - but be careful not to use harmful chemicals as you may cause harm to your family and pets. Before you get all grossed out and shave the dog or spray the house down, breathe! Remember, all mammals have these critters - its a fact of life. Control is more a matter of physically exfoliating the mites by frequent vacuuming and cleaning, scrubbing and rinsing well, using steam iron on mattresses and tossing pillows and fabrics in the dryer to kill the parasites. Those zippered pillow protectors are good. Turning mattresses and sofa cushions as you vacuum is recommended. At our house we use Baking Soda, organic vinegar, lemons and other natural cleansers in every day use. Check out www.Bi-O-Kleen.com, a line of natural and very effective cleaning products made in Vancouver Washington! We love their BAC-Out Enzymatic Cleanser for stains and spots, pet accidents and molds.
Rosacea and H.Pylori: This bacteria, Heliobactor Pylori, has become a primary cause for peptic and duodenal ulcers since it discovery in the 1980's by 2 Australian medical doctors, Robin Warren and Barry Marshall. Today, some doctors place the bacterium's involvement as high as 90%, but ulcer inducing drugs, alcohol and other lifestyle stimulants are still a more common factor. H. Pylori may be inhibited by raising stomach acid or lowering its pH, provided this is done before the protective mucous lining of the stomach is damaged by the bacteria.
Can H. pylori grow within the stomach without some external stimulus? A person is not born infected with Helicobacter pylori. You need to be infected.
Treatment (General)
If you are found to have Helicobacter pylori infection, you may wish to have antibiotic treatment of some kind. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori is usually simple & straight forward. However, occasional patients need repeated endoscopies, biopsies,breath tests and several courses of treatment with different antibiotic combinations..After treatment of H. pylori , it is necessary to repeat one of these tests to see if the germ has been killed or eradicated for good. Only breath tests or endoscopy with biopsy can be used to prove that the bacterium has been eradicated. The blood tests *(serology ) is not suitable to monitor H.pylori eradication because antibodies to H.pylori may remain positive for months or even years after successfully killing the H. pylori .
Risks of H. Pylori Therapy
There is a small risk associated with taking bismuth drugs (for example, Pepto-Bismol or De-Nol). They may temporarily cause grey staining of the teeth and mouth and can cause constipation, diarrhoea, and blackening of the stools. All antibiotics have a small risk of an allergic reaction. The antibiotics we recommend are called amoxycillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline and metronidazole. If your H. pylori infection is difficult to cure, we may suggest that you take different antibiotics or higher doses in order to treat it. If you have ever had a reaction to antibiotics, you should tell your doctor (for example, penicillin allergy). The antibiotics are commonly used and are safe, but they may cause a bad taste in the mouth (clarithromycin [clari], metronidazole [met]), dizziness , tingling [met], stomach upset, diarrhoea, and, very rarely, fatal reactions (as may occur with all antibiotics). If you are given metronidazole (trade name in Australia is �Flagyl�), you should not drink alcohol while taking the drug because an unpleasant reaction may occur (flushing, headaches, and nausea). Flagyl (metronidazole) should not be used in pregnancy.For a detailed explanation of drug interactions and side effects see on line drug list .
Treatment Rules
Acid lowering drugs such as ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole are generally safe, but discuss them with your doctor and read the package for more information. Only combinations of antibiotics with the above medications have been shown to eradicate H.pylori . Some patients have developed transient Candida (i.e.yeast )infection after antibiotic use. If you are concerned about this discuss it with your doctor and take an antifungal agent if appropriate.If you are pregnant or likely to become so, you should tell your doctor and he/she may decide not to treat your H. Pylori infection or to use a special combination of antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotic therapy should not be given unless a diagnostic test for H.pylori has been performed and a positive result is obtained. The absence of H.pylori in peptic ulcer is a diagnostic pointer to an unusual and perhaps more serious etiology. There is no justification for treating patients longer than 14 days. Cure rates have been less with shorter therapies but longer therapies have not been shown to result in greater cure rates. If 14 day therapy fails, the bacterium is probably resistant to that antibiotic combination and future therapy may need to be guided by antimicrobial sensitivity testing of the cultured organism from that particular patient.
If therapy fails, your doctor should try not to use the same combination of antibiotics again . H.pylori easily becomes resistant to metronidazole and clarithromycin so these agents should not be used twice unless antibiotic sensitivity data is available to support their continued use. After therapy, avoid antimicrobial agents for 4 weeks and omeprazole for one week before doing a diagnostic test (biopsy for histology and CLOtest , or a urea breath test either C14 or C13 ) to confirm eradication.
Resistant Infections
If two therapies fail (and H.pylori still persists as indicated by by breath test or endoscopy & biopsy analysis) then expert advice is required. You may have antibiotic resistant H.pylori. .Your doctor may wish to perform endoscopy and biopsy with culture to check the antibiotic susceptibilities./ sensitivities of the H.pylori strain you have. . Knowing the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the H.pylori strain you have been infected with the doctor can then treat you with the most appropriate antibiotic combination that will get rid of the H.pylori you have..
Homeopathic Remedies
There is no data available to support their use. It seems that if homeopathic remedies worked, the makers would perform clinical trials to prove it and then have them widely available under prescription. Since most if not all manufacturers of homeopathic and naturopathic remedies for H.pylori have not conducted requisite clinical trials ( which are very expensive to conduct) then we can assume that the manufacturers don't really believe that their remedies work at all! So be vary of such remedies.We recommend that you take the real medically proven therapies described above. Interestingly, some compounds used as natural therapies do suppress (but not cure) Helicobacter pylori . An example is lactobacilli found in yoghurt)!
Basically, HP is tough to eradicate if you don't do it "by the book".
Vaccines
Vaccines are being tested in animals and humans. Despite many clinical trials, it is very early days yet. At the present point in time there are no vaccines for the prevention of H. pylori
Keratosis Pilaris is a condition of the skin in which the hair follicles become plugged with hair and with dead cells from the outermost layer of skin as the skin renews itself. Normally dead cells would shed off easily but when this genetic condition is present they get stuck in the hair follicles, and due to their excessive adherence form a scaly plug. The follicles redden and inflame causing papules: tiny rough pink bumps on the surface of the skin. They are numerous in the affected area, which itself may become chronically red, or periodically redden when patient is emotional or physically active, cold or hot. Each one is a cutaneous plug, sometimes rather red but only rarely itchy and never sore, unless scratched or otherwise infected.
The phenomenon whereby the outer skin scales are excessively adherent and do not shed easily is known as abnormal keratinization or hyperkeratinization. The fact that it is localized to the individual follicles and occurs in each and every one in a certain area, explains its characteristic "millions of bumps" appearance.
Pathophysiology: Apparently because of lack of proper desquamation of keratinocytes, the follicular orifice (the opening of the pore) becomes plugged with keratin (dead skin cells, hair cells and debris) and results in a keratotic papule. A variable degree of perifollicular erythema occurs (the hyperkeratotic buildup entraps the hair within the follicle. The trapped hair gets bunched up and may lead to a red irritated bump that may fill with pus, sometimes referred to as an ingrown hair. These pus filled red bumps are often confused with bacterial folliculitis or with acne). The papules of Keratosis Pilaris are usually seen on the upper arms and thighs but also appear on the face, back, and buttocks. Each bump is a conical (spiny) plug resembling Goosebumps. Sometimes, the skin surrounding the follicles might be slightly irritated, making it look like a red "rash".
When Keratosis Pilaris occurs on the cheeks, the affected area is not only red but it also feels rough. The characteristic "reddish" aspect of this type of facial Keratosis Pilaris gives it the clinical name of KP Rubra Faceii. Another variant on the face, called "keratosis pilaris atrophicans faceii", causes a worm-eaten like atrophy of skin. When the outer eyebrows are affected the condition is known as "ulerythema ophryogenes. To see specialty products formulated for daily skin care, click here.
Keratosis Pilaris is a very common finding on the outer aspect of the upper arms of teenagers. It is particularly prevalent in those with Celtic backgrounds. There is current research looking into relationships to diabetes and kidney disease as factors as well as family history of skin allergies, eczema and dermatitis.
Keratosis Pilaris is estimated to affect roughly half of the world's over-all population. The inheritance pattern of the condition is dominant. This means that only one copy of the Keratosis Pilaris gene is required to result in a person developing this condition. The practical implications of this are that if one parent has Keratosis Pilaris, the chance of the couple's child having Keratosis Pilaris is over 50%. If both parents have the condition, the odds are even higher.
Keratosis Pilaris is a very common genetic follicular disease manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin. Primarily, it appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms, but can also occur on thighs and buttocks or any body part except palms or soles. There are several different types of Keratosis Pilaris, including Keratosis Pilaris Rubra (red, inflamed bumps), alba (rough, bumpy skin with no irritation), Rubra faceii (reddish rash on the cheeks) and related disorders.
Related disorders include: Darier Disease (Keratosis Follicularis) - also called lichen pilaris, or follicular xeroderma, are all conditions in which abnormal keratinization (failure of skin to desquamate properly) is limited to the hair follicles, manifesting itself as discrete, tiny follicular papules (solid, usually conical elevations).
Most types of keratosis pilaris are evident during childhood, even infancy, sometimes disappearing, just to come back on the onset of teen years. Some sufferers outgrow symptoms, but others experience KP for many years. Keratosis Pilaris may also appear spontaneously during different stages of life, even if it was never apparent before. Currently, there is no cure, only treatments that help relieve symptoms (see our products by clicking here).Face occurrences often affect babies where it tends to be most obvious on the cheeks. It may remain for years but generally becomes less obvious in adult life; keratosis pilaris is uncommon in elderly people although they can be afflicted with other dry skin/keratinized problems due to poor hygiene and inhibited sloughing action of the epidermis due to poor circulation and loss of collagen production in the dermis.
People with a family history of skin allergies are most susceptible to this condition. The papules tend to occur in association with allergic dermatitis and several types of dry skin disorders like Icthyosis. The term Icthyosis comes from the Greek ichthys, meaning fish, and refers to the clinical appearance of scaly skin. Icthyosis can be present at birth or develop later in life, be limited to the skin, or occur in association with abnormalities of other organ systems. Cutaneous (skin) manifestations span a broad spectrum of severity. For many Icthyosis patients, diagnosis can be uncertain. Without a specific diagnosis, genetic counseling and predictions based on family history and pedigree can be unreliable. Accurate genetic counseling is important..
Everyone exhibiting any of these symptoms and disorders must wear sunscreens, protective garments and avoid unprotected sun exposure every day! When the skin's immune system is compromised like this you are at risk of serious sun burns and more importantly, of developing skin cancer. Have any suspicious or changing moles, reddish or bluish bumps under the skin that don't move when you press them, dry, flaky or bleeding skin? Get it looked at right away by a dermatologist. Make it clear when you phone in that you are worried about skin cancer. This should encourage them to get you in as soon as possible. Important to read: Merkel Cell Carcinoma - the newest and most dangerous skin cancer discovered.
A common fungal inflammation of the skin that spreads easily from person to person, via clothing, linens, upholstery and skin-to-skin contact. Many times this condition on a woman's face is inaccurately diagnosed as Melasma. Treat it for fungal infection and see if your skin responds. If not, treat for Melasma. See more information on this pigment issue, Melasma.
If you have chronic symptoms like Rosacea or Acne on the face and don't respond to any medical or cosmetic treatment, you may want to consult a medical or naturopathic doctor that will do blood, breath, saliva and stool tests to determine if you have parasites, bacteria or toxins in your body causing the stubborn issues. This way a more effective, rapid approach to healing can be taken. For more information, you may contact me at epidermexperts@yahoo.com,
Joy-Marie Peterson
