Holy Cow! Read this article summary below:
Dermatitis - Allergic Reaction To Skin Care Preservatives
Dermatology Nursing, 2006 Apr.;18(2):130-6. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
In summary, a wide variety of skin care products contain preservatives. Patients who are allergic to one of these preservatives may have either localized or widespread dermatitis. Affected patients may find it difficult to avoid thimerosal without the help of the health care provider because the use of these allergens is so widespread. Patch testing is an invaluable tool for patients who struggle with dermatitis...patients must read skin care product labels carefully, looking for the names of their allergens as identified by patch tests as well as for any synonyms and cross-reactors of these allergens. Thus, patients may feel overwhelmed by hearing the names of allergens that are long and complex. After an allergen has been identified, the nurse can play a key role in helping patients understand their dermatitis and its management. Nurses are in a unique position to spend time educating patients about how to uncover the sources of specific allergens and, subsequently, how to avoid them.
I promise I do not put MERCURY in my soap. Can you believe the factory soaps do that?
“Thimerosal” - that’s a mercury-based preservative - and it goes under the following names:
mercurochrome
merzonin merthiolate
mertorgan, sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate
ethyl (2-mercaptobenzoato-S) mercury sodium salt
mercurothiolate
merfamin
thiomersalate
thiomersal
thiomersalan [(o-carboxyphenyl)thio] Ethylmercury sodium salt.