Glycerin Allergy

[kchaystack]

But let me make sure I'm following everyone, because I want to learn as well, even if the person I'm trying to help backs out.

Our bodies produce glycerin/glycerol, so in essence, there is no way to be allergic to it, because we make it. Did I get that right? I'm simpleminded sometimes, ya know.

Well none of us are doctors. If he has been to a doctor, and told he is allergic to glycerin I would not argue. If he has self diagnosed - well. I probably still would not fight - but I might not believe him either.

So what he's actually allergic to is the byproducts that occur from a source of some unknown source. I need to know A. where he got the idea he's allergic to glycerin, and b. if possible, the source. Which means some work on his part. Which I'm not entirely sure he's interested in doing. But that's okay. Cause I'm learning.

Well, I am not saying what he is allergic to. All I was saying is that if he IS allergic to glycerin, then he is allergic to it from ALL sources. Because glycerin is glycerin. If he can use soap made from lard for example, but not from palm, then it is NOT glycerin he is allergic to. BUt I am not a doctor! Do not take my word for it and endanger any ones health.

 

[Susie]

Apparently, being tested for an allergy to "glycerin" is a real thing. I found numerous references to "the allergy doctor tested me, and I am allergic to glycerin". However, they obviously are not allergic to "pure" glycerol/glycerin as produced by their own bodies.

Therefore, the source of both the doctor's test "glycerin" and the glycerin that is added to food and B&B are BOTH in question, as there are also numerous references to how much better people feel now that they are off the "glycerin".

However, I wonder if this is not the new fad of "popular" problems to have. First it was yeast, then gluten, now maybe it is glycerin.

I AM NOT CLAIMING THAT ALLERGIES OR INTOLERANCES TO YEASTS OR GLUTEN IS NOT A REAL HEALTH PROBLEM!!! Do not jump on me! I KNOW that they are real!!! I am a nurse!!! Just that people tend to jump on whatever bandwagon they hear about, and thus muddy the waters when researchers are trying to get true numbers on people with the true allergies and intolerances.

 

[earlene]

In skin allergy testing, the controls are Histamine (supposedly most people react to histamine) and Glycerin (supposedly most people don't react to glycerin) or in some cases, Saline. So if the person's skin reacts inappropriately to either, the rest of the allergy skin testing will have to be handled differently than if the reactions were normal.

I don't know if there is a blood challenge test for a glycerin allergy, however. That requires that science know what antibody to test for in the blood test. (I don't know if that is known.) But if the skin reacts badly to the control of pure glycerin, then at the very least the person has a sensitivity and at the worst (anaphalactic shock, for example) the person has a real allergy.

ETA: Not to say that anaphalactic shock is required before the word allergy would be used.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Again, not a doctor - but people who are gluten intolerant can have that just when it is eaten rather than used topically, or inverse, or both. As for not being allergic to what the body produces, don't forget that there people can be allergic to water (purest form, so not reacting to things IN the water) which causes skin issues and yet the body itself contains a great deal of water. so it is not completely out there to imagine that someone could react topically to glycerin even though the body itself can produce it internally safely and happily.

Again, that is even more so when the allergy is not to glycerin in the purest form, rather the left overs from the source material.

 

[duckinatub]

As a business owner, I wouldn't worry about making it without glycerin. People have different allergies to different things. Our job is to put the ingredients on the product and inform them. Trust me, I get 100s emails daily, and all different cases. That is a very rare case...

 

[Susie]

As a business owner, I wouldn't worry about making it without glycerin. People have different allergies to different things. Our job is to put the ingredients on the product and inform them. Trust me, I get 100s emails daily, and all different cases. That is a very rare case...

I understand what you are saying, and I agree. However, the concern here is that glycerin is what is produced by the reaction of the oils and lye. Therefore, it is not normally listed on the ingredient label (the other product is the soap itself, which you would also not list as an ingredient). Thus, uninformed customers could have an allergic reaction to the glycerin.

And yes, I know that anyone with an allergy should not be uninformed for their own health and safety. But many people act like the world should take care of them, not them take care of themselves. Then, if they live in the US, they sue whoever made it/sold it for not listing glycerin on the label.

 

[dixiedragon]

Again, not a doctor - but people who are gluten intolerant can have that just when it is eaten rather than used topically, or inverse, or both. As for not being allergic to what the body produces, don't forget that there people can be allergic to water (purest form, so not reacting to things IN the water) which causes skin issues and yet the body itself contains a great deal of water. so it is not completely out there to imagine that someone could react topically to glycerin even though the body itself can produce it internally safely and happily.

Again, that is even more so when the allergy is not to glycerin in the purest form, rather the left overs from the source material.

When I worked at a camp in college, we actually had a girl allergic to water. (there are something like 8 people in the world with this condition.) She'd get huge welts on her skin if it rained on her, and she had to take steroids to take a bath. I really wanted to know what she drank, but I didn't know her personally. Perhaps saline or something?

 

[dixiedragon]

Personally, if I was told I was allergic to something odd like glycerin (not impossible, just odd), I'd definitely see a specialist. Glycerin is in a lot of foods. Many medicines come in a glycerin capsule. Food coloring is often dissolved in a glycerin base.

 

[duckinatub]

I understand what you are saying, and I agree. However, the concern here is that glycerin is what is produced by the reaction of the oils and lye. Therefore, it is not normally listed on the ingredient label (the other product is the soap itself, which you would also not list as an ingredient). Thus, uninformed customers could have an allergic reaction to the glycerin.

And yes, I know that anyone with an allergy should not be uninformed for their own health and safety. But many people act like the world should take care of them, not them take care of themselves. Then, if they live in the US, they sue whoever made it/sold it for not listing glycerin on the label.

Exactly. There are too many reasons, and it is very hard to say, that is only glycerin that causes a reaction. We make different kinds of soaps, and you just need to make sure, the ingredients are listed, with INCI names, and registered(free). Also you need an insurance(costs). If someone reacts to your product, they also have to be very detailed about the case. Otherwise, your competition even can call the Health Units on you... These things happen.

Say, if you sell 100s of soaps in 100s of different locations, how would you control these things, imagine... So therefor, keep everything in the right range, and that's it.

 

[TwystedPryncess]

Well none of us are doctors. If he has been to a doctor, and told he is allergic to glycerin I would not argue. If he has self diagnosed - well. I probably still would not fight - but I might not believe him either.




Well, I am not saying what he is allergic to. All I was saying is that if he IS allergic to glycerin, then he is allergic to it from ALL sources. Because glycerin is glycerin. If he can use soap made from lard for example, but not from palm, then it is NOT glycerin he is allergic to. BUt I am not a doctor! Do not take my word for it and endanger any ones health.

I understand all of this completely. Ended up his doctor was the one who said he was allergic to glycerin itself. He's going to try some other avenues, and appreciate all of the knowledge shared and you guys correcting my trains of thought. Honestly. The only thing we can do is ask questions and share the best knowledge we have at the time.

I really do appreciate everyone's responses.

@Ducky, I don't sell, but I totally understand all of your points of view. We can't anticipate everyone's crazy allergies. Right now I practice my craft at home, and if someone comes to me with a question, I try to help them, with proper caveats in place.

I also can't quite recall who posted about the person who is allergic to water, but that of course makes me think of Wizard of Oz.

 

[Susie]

Exactly. There are too many reasons, and it is very hard to say, that is only glycerin that causes a reaction. We make different kinds of soaps, and you just need to make sure, the ingredients are listed, with INCI names, and registered(free). Also you need an insurance(costs). If someone reacts to your product, they also have to be very detailed about the case. Otherwise, your competition even can call the Health Units on you... These things happen.

Say, if you sell 100s of soaps in 100s of different locations, how would you control these things, imagine... So therefor, keep everything in the right range, and that's it.

See, in the US, there is no mandate to have soap labelled with ingredients (but any prudent person should), but if you do, you need to use plain English names rather than INCI. And no need to register anything to sell soap at the small business level.

 

[duckinatub]

See, in the US, there is no mandate to have soap labelled with ingredients (but any prudent person should), but if you do, you need to use plain English names rather than INCI. And no need to register anything to sell soap at the small business level.

That's even better The idea is , we do the things for our parts, because of the safety reasons. There are things that we cannot control, in this case allergies. We do have to listen our customers, and the complaints. That is the nature of this business. Also we cannot change the directions in business because someone is allergic to A, B,C ingredients. I react to Pine Oil, doesn't mean the companies should stop selling the products that have pine oil. I can't blame them If I purchase the product and react to that product. It is very important to let people know, about the ingredients, they like it and it is a big part of the sales. Tell them the benefits, and sometimes, you will hear from the customer, " oh , i can't use this because i'm allergic to nuts... etc"

All in all, allergies are there, and for different reasons. Glycerin Allergies, never heard yet, from my customers, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I just don't suggest the start-up businesses to custom their soaps, just to fix a rare problem. To get your name out there, your soap should target the majority first. It is different if Bath and Body , makes a soap, to target a certain problem, because in their case, there is no minority anymore. Just my experience.

 

[catannc]

I actually was just searching for glycerin free soap ideas and came across this thread.

Just to inform you, people can be intolerant of glycerin, and it can be life threatening. It is for me. I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome which is where the immune system is overactivated and can respond to anything and everything as if it were an anaphylacic allergic response. There are no blood or skin tests to predict what a person reacts to as it is not IgE dependent...there are no antibodies. Additionally, I have a serious metabolic disorder called Glycerol Intolerance Syndrome which is one of a family of lipid disorders. If I consume the tiniest amount of glycerin or apply it topically I get violently ill, I have to be very careful. I can't take most medications as they contain fillers I react to, including glycerin. It is life threatening for some, deeply painful for others, and we definitely don't need non-experts' feedback on whether our conditions are real or not. If someone asks you a technical question, please just answer it without judging.

 

[earlene]

Thank you for your input, catannc. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your experience.