Allergy to phenylenediamine

[Cheri1966]

My 17-year old daughter recently had the patch skin test due to her fingertips being raw, dry, crusty, and sometimes oozing.  The dermatologist diagnosed her condition as dyshriotic eczema.  The creams she provided did not improve my daugher's hands at all so we had the patch skin test done.  The results are that she is allergic to phenylenediamine (PPD) and neomycin.  I know that PPD is found in most hair dyes, black rubber and dark colored clothing.  We have been to 4 doctors and have an appointment with a immunologist allergist at the end of the month.  What can this doctor do for my daughter?  She is suffering immensely.  I fear that the way she is coming into contact with PPD is working at Smoothie King (a healthy drink store) where she touches the tops of the blenders.  I believe they are made of black rubber.  When I sit in her vehicle, I believe that the steering wheel and other items she touches there are also made of rubber.  My questions are: (1) what is the immunologist allergist doing to do for us?  (2) What is immune suppression exactly?  (3) How can we avoid black rubber?  It seems to be everywhere.

Please help us as my daughter can hardly use her hands.  I have to tie her shoes, button her pants and other chores since she can't always use her hands.  This is making her very upset and affecting her life immensely.

Thank you.

[stevie916]

To all that say they cannot use soap or shampoo, It is because of Parabens which is in most cosmetics , lotions, make up  and shampoo. If you have a allergy to PPD then you most likely suffer from Paraben allerigies as well. Look it up on the computer. Please try brands like Jason and watch for this even in Health foods stores as well. Parabens have been recently linked to breast cancer and should be avoided at all cost . Good Luck

[littlemissy]

i no what you are both goin tro i am also 17 and I also have an allergy to black and brown dyes, latex, rubber and plastic any think that has phenylenediamine ( PPD ) in it witch also is in sunscreens, bubble bath, oil, and meanyy meany more but i would like to let you no that it isnt always on the label as ppd there as ppd is also in para-amino benzoic acids. i have to carry an epi pen as i go into anaphylactic shock and the last one i nearly didnt make it. i am also doing some research at the mo tryin to find out all the things that have ppd in it!!

[Doreen76]

I also have an allergy to blue, black and brown dyes, latex, rubber and plastic and any food that comes from the water.  

Before I was diagnosed, I had tiny ITCHY seeping bumps, that made my hands raw, red, with a burning feeling and seeped constantly.  I avoided handshakes, because it was too painful.  Washing was VERY painful.

My dermatologist was wonderful.  I now have CLOBETASOL OINTMENT (NOT CREAM) on hand all the time.  I had to use it  (very little of it!) every time I washed my hands.

A skin test on my back for 1 week (miserable!), no showers! - showed my allergies.

Some of the culprits: shampoo, hair rinse, lotions, cosmetics, dish soap, laundry detergent, all cleaners, clothing, wool (lanolin! - a wool by-product), anti-bacterial items, dryer fabric sheets, bleach, and yes, even the steering wheel!

At first I had to give up all of those things.  I "washed" my hands, clothes, and sheets in hot (no soap) water. Eleven years later, I know, within minutes, if I touch an allergin.  I keep a natural cotton or terry cover on my steering wheel.  My husband and kids had to do their own laundry.

I can use Dove (white only) bath soap, Suave (clear) shampoo, Pantene hair conditioner, ALL laundry detergent, clear or green dishsoap, vinegar and water for cleaner (don't get in on your skin!).  Feel free to contact me at ***@****.

[JDSprintz]

Cheri-

I am a 22 year old chef in Manhattan and I have been going through the exact same thing for the past 2 years.  I used to think I was allergic to a food I was touching but now I am certain that it is the steering wheel in my car.  I understand the emotional distress that it causes and how it makes day to day chores very very difficult.  The best advice I have is to get a cotton steering wheel cover.  Even though these chemicals are in many things and can be difficult to avoid all the time, you can definitely reduce consistent exposure which might be the key.  I'm going through the same process right now so I'll let you know how it works for me.  I'm not a doctor but I don't think her problem is systemic because she would have the eczema in other places thanjust her hands.  The creams never worked for me either, but it makes sense because you aren't avoiding the cause.  I have an appointment at Columbia University next week which specializes in contact dermatitis, so maybe you should look into that if you are near new york.  if not, y ou should definitely see a specialist because a regular dermatologist or allergist will not be able to help you the way you need them to, as I have found out.  Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with or vice versa.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one going through this.

-jon
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