Allergic to your shampoo and conditioner?

If your allergen is everywhere, like good old corn, then yes this can be a problem. I assume for people with contact allergies to wheat, soy, coconut, etc. the issue is the same.

There is usually a thread going on shampoo issues on the Avoiding Corn Forum and it typically comes down to two solutions. Wash your hair with the one *currently* corn free shampoo/conditioner (ShiKai Natural Everyday Shampoo and ShiKai Natural Everyday Conditioner), wash your hair with a safe body soap or baking soda and use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse.

It does cut down on your time in the beauty aisle, not that there is much in that aisle without corn anyhow. Lots of people on the board swear their hair never looked better after going to the baking soda / AVC method and it is also a great cost savings. No more wasted bottles of expensive organic super gentle formula shampoo looking for one that is completely without a trace of your particular allergen(s).

I haven't tried it yet, but I am getting curious. Here is the link to the Herbwife's Kitchen Blog. http://crabappleherbs.com/blog/2008/02/01/simple-herbal-hair-care She gives all the details on how to make the switch without looking like a mess. Sounds like something to start transitioning to during a vacation when you have a little time to experiment. Or for a New Year's Resolution!

Let me know how it goes if you take up the challenge! It may be happening soon on my head. I'll keep you posted. It's so dry in Colorado that, like most people with long hair, I try to shampoo every other day at most, so it may not be so hard to make the transition.

Even Whole Foods Can Be a Minefield

Arrgh, stupid dishwasher detergent! I forgot that I can't just pick up boxes of things that I might be allergic to and read the ingredients to see if they are safe. If I am unlucky and pickup the wrong box of detergent, like the Ecover brand that is made with corn starch, I just might get some on me or inhale it and ruin our late night run to the grocery store by doing my St. Vitus dance of itchinesses.

I manged to hold it together long enough to help my A. get his steaks and wine for the sashlik marinade. Then we made a run for home where I had forgotten the Benadryl. I have been leaving the Beandryl out of my bag when I go to work because I have a bottle stored there, but then I forget to put it in when I come home. Clearly, this is not working. I think it is time to look for a new mini flask to carry it in --maybe it is time to start hinting that I want an engraved one for my birthday. I wonder if A. can get it engraved with the Benadryl label like he put on the last flask. I really liked the flask after he did that -- so smart and funny! Also it stopped the funny looks I would get when I would rip it out of my purse and start chugging Benadryl in public. Yes, I am tactful and charming like that, such savoir-faire.