Teach Soap

After weeks of trying to figure out what is causing me to break out in hives, I've come to the conclusion that it's probably the fragrance/flavor in the products I've been making but I can't pinpoint which (or perhaps it's all of them?) I break out in hives all over at times that appears to be random but I believe it might be a result of allergy contact dermatitis (yes, I've been googling, can you tell?)

I JUST started making soap (with my brambleberry soap subscription!) and I'm really sad at the thought of having to stop the hobby (not to MENTION my etsy shop where I just sold my 100th order--proud moment for me ). I've moved all my current soaps that are curing to the basement (that's a whole other question as to whether that is wise) and all my fragrance oils to another location (they had been in a kitchen cupboard) in hopes to try to get this under control. I'm still breaking out but I'm told it could take a few weeks to get it out of my system. Maybe I should shut down my shop for a month and just see if I can get it under control.

I'm just frustrated. I'm wondering if wearing gloves all the time would help to solve it? Also, does anyone know if essential oils cause the same reaction (I only have a few but at this point I'm really considering switching over completely). And it's possible that it's NOT related to the fragrance at all. I think NOT knowing what it is has been the hardest part of this process. But the hives are so itchy and irritating I can't even think straight! I've been making lotion bars for over a year (with fragrances) and the hives started a little over a month ago.

How sad! Do you use Shea butter? A lot of people become sensitized to that and have problems. Maybe that would be a good place to start. I hope you can figure out what is bothering you!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Oh no! I hope you can figure out what's causing your allergy. I know I can no longer use shea butter.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Well that sucks But in answer to your question on whether EO's can cause similar sensitivities, yes they can.

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Genny

maybe you should take a short break from soap making and see if your hives resolve. If they do then you could do a patch test on the inside of your arm. Or if you have good insurance, go to see an allergist. Hopefully it would only be one item and you could substitute something for it that you are able to tolerate.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Definitely TRY ESSENTIAL OILS before giving up soaping completely!!! Fragrance oils can be irritating because they are synthetic. Some fragrance oils bother my skin or give me headaches. Essential oils are natural and gentler on my skin than FOs. Because they come from nature, they can be harmful if used in the wrong way. Never use them undiluted on the skin, and be careful not to use too much of them in your soap, but that goes for any fragrance. In general, the same rules for FOs apply to EOs, except that EOs are better for you!

Still, like everyone else said, it may not be the fragrance at all. But don't be discouraged, don't give up!! Not after your 100th order!! (Congratulations on that by the way)

Until I joined this forum, I had no idea that Shea Butter could cause so much irritation! What is it about Shea Butter specifically that causes allergic reactions??

Shea butter contains a protein which can sensitize over time. That's what happened to me. I've used shea butter for years. Then one day while working with it, I started to itch and my skin turned red. I didn't make the connection then, but when it happened again, I took notice. I put a small amount of shea butter on the inside crook of my arm. Within a couple of minutes, it became red and itchy. So I no longer use it. Since people with shea allergies can also have problems with latex gloves, I now use nitrile gloves instead.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.