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This patient information on
Balsam of Peru is provided by John L. Meisenheimer, M.D. a board certified Dermatologist
and skin care specialist based in Orlando, Florida. This information is
not intended as a substitute for the medical advice or treatment of a dermatologist or other
physician.
The results from your patch testing showed a positive reaction (contact allergy)
to Balsam of Peru. Your immune system reacts with its defense mechanisms with
each exposure of Balsam of Peru to your skin. It is unknown why certain
individuals develop allergic sensitivities. In some it may take repeat exposures
over long periods of time before an allergy develops. Once you have become
sensitized (allergic) your immune system always "remembers" and you will be
Balsam of Peru sensitive. If you currently have eczema this chemical may be the cause but
other factors may play a role as well. The information below will help you avoid
this allergen.
A reaction to Balsam of Peru indicates an allergy to fragrance and/or essential
oils. Components of Balsam of Peru are used in pharmaceutical products,
fragrances and flavorings. A positive patch test can also be an indicator of
spice allergies. Flare-ups of eczema in balsam of Peru-sensitive patients can
occurred after ingesting spices.
Where is chemical found?
►Aperitifs
►Baby ointments
►Baby powder
►Baked goods
►Cakes
►Calamine lotion
►Candy
►Chewing gum
►Chocolate
►Cosmetics
►Cough lozenges
►Dental cements
►Eyelash pomade
►Flavor in drinks
►Flavor in tobacco
►Foot lotion
►Hair conditioners
►Hemorrhoid suppositories
►Ice cream
►Insect repellant
►Juices
►Ketchup
►Liniments
►Lip medications
►Liquors
►Liver paste
►Pastries
►Peels of citrus fruit
►Perfume
►Perfumed tea
►Pickled vegetables
►Rectal ointments
►Shampoo
►Soft drinks
►Spices
►Sunscreens
►Tincture of benzoin
►Toothpaste
►Topical medications
►Veterinary preparations
►Wines
►Wound spray
Hints on avoiding chemical:
►Used as a flavoring in foods, check all ingredients.
►Used as a masking fragrance for medications. Inform your doctor if you are
allergic to this chemical.
►Choose products listed only on your personalized contact allergen database,
which has been provided to you. Products listed on your contact allergen
resource database will be free of Balsam of Peru and safe to use.
►Please be aware that if your spouse or significant other uses topical skincare
products that contain this chemical skin to skin transfer may occur to you.
►It may take 2 to 3 weeks of avoiding exposure before improvement of your
eruption begins.
Other names you may see this chemical listed as:
Balsam peruvianim
Balsam Peruvianim
Black balsam
China oil
Honduras balsam
Indian balsam
Peruvian balsam
Surinam Balsam
Possible Occupational Exposures:
Nurses
Hairdressers and Cosmetologists
Machine operators
Janitors
Balsam of Peru contains:
Cinnamic alcohol
Cinnamic aldehyde
Coniferyl benzoate
Methyl Cinnamate
Benzyl cinnamate
Benzyl benzoate
Benzoic acid
Benzyl alcohol
Eugenol
Vanillin
and etc….
A balsam of Peru free diet may help those sensitized with systemic contact
dermatitis.
Balsam of Peru can cause contact Urticaria.
Cross reactions with other chemicals occurs including:
Balsam Tolu
Benzoates
Colophony
Cinnamates
Styrax
Benzoin
Tiger balm
Beeswax
Benzaldehyde
Coniferyl alchohol coumarin
Eugenol
Isoeugenol
Farnesol
Propanidid
Propolis
Diethylstilbesterol
© John L. Meisenheimer, M.D.
2004 WWW.OrlandoSkinDoc.com
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