As a new food allergy mom, it didn’t take long to learn playdates, school time and birthday parties were forever changed. Not ruined, just different. Those are common places where allergens are expected and precaution is key.
But, who knew there would also be a list of unsuspecting places I would have to learn about? Seriously- toothpaste? soil? crafts? Why?
Color Bath Tablets
My two oldest children don’t have allergies. So, tossing Crayola’s fizzy, color-changing tablets into their bathwater was our regular thing. Naturally, I was prepared to keep the party going when my third came along.
I remember buying him the tablets and running the bathwater. But, before I plopped the first tablet in, I instinctively flipped over the container to read the label. It was a practice that had become second nature.
I didn’t actually expect to find anything but, lo and behold, I landed on the word lactose. What? Yes. Bath tablets have milk in them.
Shampoo
There I was, minding my own business in the shampoo aisle of Target. Then suddenly, these big, bold, front-facing words screamed right at my eyes: EGG WHITES.
While I do appreciate the brand for displaying them in plain sight, it never occurred to me before to check our shampoos.
But I mean, why not? As a teenager, I experimented with all sorts of food products in my own hair. Mayonnaise, honey, even beer (try explaining that one to your dad) … So, it makes perfect sense for certain hair products to have tree nuts and eggs also.
Craft Supplies
Thankfully, we haven’t had a negative run-in with a craft supply, and that’s lucky because we craft a lot!
I knew about cornstarch and flour but recently someone, in an online group I follow, posted a warning about hidden milk in sidewalk chalk. Then she reminded everyone to always check labels in everything. Please do.
Craft products like playdough, paint, and chalk can contain soy, wheat, milk, egg, and corn.
Dental Cleaners
My boys had been going to the same dentist for years before I learned fluoride varnish can contain tree nuts! And it wasn’t even my dentist’s office who told me. It was another dentist who knew we had food allergies and thought it was worth mentioning. – Uh, yeah! –
There are different types of fluoride and one does in fact have tree nuts. Now we always make sure to ask for labels before any new cleaning or procedure. Dairy-derived ingredients are also common in toothpaste- recaldent being a popular one.
Planting Soil
If you know me, you know I am not a gardener. Like- at all! I love looking at plants but I am awful at caring for them.
Knowing this, our next-door neighbor asked if my kids wanted to help her grow vegetables in her yard. First, she reassured me her soil didn’t have peanuts in it. Peanuts in soil? That was the first I had heard of it but it’s true though. I Googled it.
It’s also common for gardeners to crunch up eggshells for soil too. I learned that one from my grandma.
Vaccinations
When the nurse at my Pediatrician’s office asked me if I wanted to hold off on my son’s MMR vaccine, I was puzzled. Then she explained it contains egg protein. Interesting! And also, terrifying.
However, many people with egg allergies are able to safely receive the vaccine. In fact, my son recently received his first dose, without problems. Ask your doctor about any questions you may have.
Lipstick
Maybe if I was more into makeup, I would’ve learned this one earlier on in life. But, I’ve always been more of an au-naturale kind of gal.
Now, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t probably benefit from a little makeup, it just means I have zero clue what do to or where to start. Very rarely do I dab on a mascara or chapstick before leaving the house but that’s it.
After researching my fish allergies some more, I learned it’s common to find fish oil in lipsticks and glosses. Granted, I don’t know much about fashion but if fish lips are right, I’m okay (and healthy) with being wrong.
Although now that I think about it, I’m sure there are some fantastic Vegan alternatives.
Car Rentals
I don’t know why this one surprised me like it did. True, we rented a vehicle dozens of other people had used before us. But, what were the odds of finding peanuts inside it?
Our big summer road trip required a larger van. So, we rented one. We waited what felt like forever in line, finally brought it home, popped open the floorboard storage and what did we find? Half a bag of shelled peanuts scattered all around. Seriously?
We promptly drove it back and asked for another one in its place. Our trip got a late start but it was worth it.
What are some other products or places you’ve encountered your allergens? Let me know in the comments.