Eczema - colophonium and formaldehyde

[Nell925]

My DD has had severe eczema, particularly on her hands, for pretty much all her life (she's now 10). After years or going back and forth to consultants we managed to get a patch test done and it showed that she has a strong allergy to both colophonium and formaldehyde. The consultant gave us a sheet of things to avoid and will follow up with us again in two months to see how it's going but when I've look on the internet of what substances colophonium and formaldehyde are in it's very overwhelming and I don't know where to start.

Has anyone else had a child with these allergies? Both of these chemicals are in paper so have no idea how I'm going to manage her not having contact with paper! I thought perhaps I could get her some cotton gloves when she's writing but that could feel uncomfortable and she may not be able to grip a pen properly. Any advice anyone has would be great. Thank you in advance.

I've not even heard of those allergies so won't be of much help.

I was just going to say that if they are in paper, could you get her a Kobo for Christmas so that she can download library books?

That is tricky! Does she notice the reaction if she comes into contact with paper?
What about fingerless cotton gloves so she can still rest her hand on the paper but grip a pen. And perhaps those pens made for people with arthritis that are chunkier and easier grip

Thank you for your help. She's actually got a tablet she can read books on but unfortunately she gets paper books from the school to read but I think if she wears gloves it should form a barrier.

I think the idea about fingerless gloves is great. I hadn't thought about that. Thank you.

Now I know that it's paper it makes sense as the heel of her hand around her thumb is always the worst and have always had problems controling the eczema so it must be where she rubs it across paper when she writes.

After a bit of research and phone calls I've found out that formaldehyde is in a lot of toilet paper! I've spent a lot of today emailing manufacturers to get lists of chemicals used in products.

I think it'll be trial and error. Hopefully products that maybe have smaller amounts of formaldehyde and colophonium in she will be fine with.

After a bit of research and phone calls I've found out that formaldehyde is in a lot of toilet paper! I've spent a lot of today emailing manufacturers to get lists of chemicals used in products

These are the bits of being a parent that nobody ever tells you about! “So, you’re thinking of having a baby? You do know that along with the sleep deprivation, poo and vomit you might spend huge chunks of time trying to figure out just what is causing that awful rash or eczema?”

Just wondering if you’ve contacted the National Eczema Society or Allergy UK. They were particularly helpful when I had the patch tests.

As well as checking the toilet paper, I’d also check her bedding. Probably an onerous task but having bedding that is definitely free of her allergens will give you peace of mind and should help her to recover.

Have you had any responses from the Toilet Paper manufacturers yet @Nell925?

I found a couple of brands of toilet roll that don't have the chemicals in them so have got some of those. I've also bought some bamboo gloves that she can take to school so hopefully that'll help. It's so difficult to exclude everything so I think if I just eliminate the big things hopefully that'll be enough.

Thank you for the advice to contact the National Ezcema Society and Allergy UK. I gave them a call and they were really kind and sympathetic and gave the same kind of advice you have given me here.

I'm not sure how long it'll take to see if what I'm doing is making a difference. I'm assuming I should see some improvement in a couple of weeks or so. Thank you again for your help and advice. It really is appreciated.

Hi @Nell925,
I hope your DD's eczema improves soon.
Would you mind sharing which toilet rolls are free of those chemicals?
Thanks

Thank you. Yes, of course. Cushelle said their suppliers are requested not to use colophony in the materials they supply and also confirmed they do not use formaldehyde. I hope that helps.

House plants are good for clearing formaldehyde, I buy huge areca palms from Morrisons for our house.

Pet safe too.

I don't know why I didn't see your reply. Sorry @Nell925.

I'm not sure how long it'll take to see if what I'm doing is making a difference. I'm assuming I should see some improvement in a couple of weeks or so

Slightly different experience as my main allergen is milk but I felt much better after a couple of days and by two weeks I felt like new!

@Fluffycloudland77 Thank you for your advice about houseplants, particularly areca. I knew that houseplants were good for air quality but didn't realise they were good for clearing formaldehyde. I'm going to go out and buy some at the weekend.

@PanicBuyingSprouts It's only been a few days but I'm already starting to see an improvement in her hands already just from making a few changes. I'm not sure if it's the elimination of formaldehyde and colophony (as much as I can) or from the Protopic the consultant prescribed. I suppose it doesnt matter really as long it's working! Thank you.

Tbh it sounded woo to me but I put a huge 4ft Areca in our room and you would not know two adults have slept in that room all night in the mornings, it’s not totally fresh but it’s noticeably better air quality in there.

I have a colophony allergy. Plus Balsam of Peru, linalool and cetearyl alcohol. It's a nightmare but you are doing all the right things and researching, researching, researching. You will come up against loads of brick walls where you just can't find out the information needed for certain things at all.

Also once you've managed to calm things down try reintroducing things. I have a problem with adhesives (colophony is often in adhesives) but don't seem to have an issue with paper.

Am currently debating whether to chance a real Christmas tree at present 😩😩😩 We always have one but this allergy is new to me and don't know if this will be a trigger or not.