Allergic to Coconut?

Surviving the Holidays with a Coconut Allergy

2011-12-14T07:02:00.001-08:00

Time to be festive and eat lots of yummy things you wouldn't normally eat, right? Let's be careful and keep our epi-pens and benadryl handy just in case. Remember to read all ingredients!

Here is a summary of things to AVOID during the holiday season:

WHIPPY things- Cool whip means coconut oil. Some people make whole pies by simply mixing cool whip with other ingredients, so if you're at a pot luck, and you see a cream pie, beware unless it comes from a package and you can read the ingredients. We recently even saw some Jell-O brand mousse in a little cardboard packet that had coconut oil in it.

CHOCOLATES- Oh how I love to munch on sees candies and oh how very sick I can get even if a particular piece doesn't contain coconut. There is cross contamination aplenty in any brand of assorted chocolates. Don't play chocolate roulette.

ICE CREAM- Unless that Ben and Jerry's scoop shop that you are tempted to hit at the airport or Baskin Robbins at the mall has an allergy brochure handy, or you have the flavor ingredients memorized AND you ask them to wash the scoop before dipping yours AND scoop in a fresh spot that hasn't been touched, you may soon feel your throat closing up. . . just a reminder to not be crazy and try new flavors while on the road.

GOODIES you receive as gifts.- YES, I feel like a complete DORK when people bake for me and I have to ask them for all the ingredients to their goodies. But, no one has ever been offended. If they are gifting me something that I am allergic to, I just tell them how much my husband and kids will love them because they never get to have anything with coconut in it and it's a special treat for them.

RESTAURANT FOOD- when choosing a restaurant to visit while traveling or with friends and family, I avoid THAI food altogether because of my coconut allergy. There is coconut milk and coconut oil, etc. in practically everything there. Also, INDIAN food restaurants sometimes use coconut milk in their curries, so that can be really tricky to figure out. At other restaurants, before ordering anything fried, I like to scan the menu for things like coconut shrimp that might be fried in the same oil. It's highly unlikely that you would end up with even trace amounts of coconut in your fried food, but use good judgement if you have ever had an anaphylactic reaction to coconut. Desserts can be crazy at restaurants because they may cut you a piece of chocolate cake right after coconut cake, etc., so I am not shy about making it clear to our server that I have food allergies without making it into a hassle for anyone. Whenever I get a server who has no clue what ingredients are in anything and is reluctant to go find out, I just ask for a manager. That's what managers are for. If the manager doesn't know, well, that is a good sign that they don't make their food fresh in-house and that I am probably eating more MSG than nutrients. For great tips on eating out without feeling totally terrified and oppressed with food allergies (and for a lot of moral support) I loved reading Sloane Miller's book, Allergic Girl.

POPCORN- You know you'll pass your vacation time going to at least one movie! Movie theater popcorn contains coconut oil most of the time. Not just the extra butter you put on it. It makes my mouth develop what I call "blisters of pain and fire" within an hour of eating it and makes me feel very, very sick to my stomach. I just enjoy the smell. . . .mmmmm. . . and sneak in my own gourmet chocolate bar to eat instead. I let my husband and kids eat popcorn, and make sure I get lots of napkins and tell them "no touching mommy until you wash your hands."

COSMETICS- Oh, various types of chap stick stuff, why must you have coconut oil in you? Also, for the last few years it seems like soaps and lotions from Bath and Body works have been the go-to small gift of choice. I like to put these in my guest bathroom or just re-gift them. No big deal. As a reminder, here is a link to my (by no means complete) list of coconut-derived ingredients.

Did I leave anything out?

Toothpaste Updates

2011-12-12T07:35:00.001-08:00

I am sad to report that Tom's of Maine has ditched all those wonderful SLS-free toothpaste flavors like clove and apricot and such, and we are just left with plain mint. But, at least we still have that!

One of our readers, Sabrina, tipped me off to a new toothpaste that is SLS free and appears to not have any coconut in the ingredients. It is called Closys. It's main feature is some germ-killing ability with some pretty scary sounding new chemicals that they have invented, but they do sell sample sizes so you may not have to blow $11 on a tube. But, at least on this website they have a coupon you can register for. I like coupons.

Can I just say how tired I am of having a coconut allergy and having to pay not just a percentage more for shampoos and toothpaste. . . but double or even quadruple!

A big thanks to everyone who sends ideas for products. Now, if I could just get some companies to send us some products to try! Us poor coconut allergic folks are still a minority in the US market.

Frequently Asked Questions

2011-09-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all. Due to a recent uptick in coconut allergy activity, I have been receiving several emails (some frantic) asking for help. Most of the questions are the same thing, over and over, so I will post answers here:

Q: I think I'm allergic to coconut, but I'm not sure. How can I sort it all out?
A: Really, truly, if you have not been to see an allergist/ allergy doctor specialist please make an appointment. They can do skin tests and blood tests. Sometimes the skin tests have false positives, sometimes the blood tests have false negatives. Occasionally, you might need to do both. Keep a detailed food, cosmetic and skin reaction log before the appointment documenting all reactions for at least two weeks, because any good doctor will ask you to do this, and you will save a step if you already have it.

Q: What do you use for. . . laundry detergent?
A: I use All Free and Clear, or other unscented detergents, and just do a second rinse cycle.

Q: . . .dish soap?
A: I am fine if I use almost anything. I wear those sexy housewife yellow gloves and rinse well.

Q: . . . hand soap?
A: Kiss my face pure olive oil soap. Sometimes soaps with palm oils instead of coconut oil.

Q: . . . shampoo?
A: When allergies are at their peak, I sometimes use the olive oil soap or no soap and just use conditioner. Most conditioners don't have a bit of coconut in them! When there is build up, I can do a quick rinse with vinegar (don't get it in your eyes!).Usually I shampoo with things that have the least coconut ingredients possible. Sometimes they are not totally coconut free, but if it's just a coconut sugar or oil and it's the 10th ingredient and I rinse well, it doesn't bother me.

Q: What else are people who are allergic to coconut usually allergic to?
A: Sometimes just coconut, sometimes a ton of things. I have to mention here that there is something allergists call "Total Allergic Load." This means that if you are allergic to a lot of things, you will be having more allergic reactions and be more sensitive to the things you are allergic to. For example, a lot of people have fewer food allergies in the winter because their total allergic load has decreased when the ballistic pollen has all frozen over and their bodies get a rest from being hyper sensitive all the time. A few folks (very few) are also sensitive to Palm oil or Palm kernel oil as well as coconut because they are more closely related. Coconut is in NO WAY related to actual nuts like peanuts or tree nuts, but the brilliant folks who control food labeling will list coconut as a tree nut anyway.

Q: My skin keeps breaking out when I use this soap/shampoo/lotion/ detergent/ product, etc. that people say is coconut free. What do I do now?
A: You may not be having an allergic reaction. You could have another skin condition like eczema or dry skin or a fungus that a dermatologist can pinpoint and treat. Maybe you are allergic to a fabric, something in the air like a pollen, mold, or your pet. Maybe your spouse uses a product you are allergic to and you like to hug him/ her lots. I don't know, but at least I can give you lots of wild guesses, which any good friend would do, right?

More soaps!

2011-08-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for your emails and comments- they really are useful!
A special thanks to Kim who just sent this email:

Since the last time I contacted you, I have found a few more soaps. Native Mother Naturals makes a baby soap that is olive oil and avocado oil based. It is really gentle and way less harsh than the

Kiss My Face one. Also, there is an anti-itch soap that is sold in horse catalogues, but is also formulated for people. It smells like sulfur, but it works well on my face and seems to keep it pretty clear.

I talked to the owner of the company, and she HATES coconuts. She doesn't like anything about them; so, there isn't any coconut ingredients in it. I am going to include links to some really good

natural companies I have found. Most of them are local companies but can be found on their websites. Have you found any other shampoos you can use. I tried the Hugo one, and it stripped my hair

really bad. Plus, I am really allergic to phenoxyethanol; so, I can't use the conditioner you use either. My hairdresser friend told me my hair is oily; so, the vinegar and baking soda aren't doing the trick.

I will keep researching and passing information on to you.

Thanks,

Kim

http://nativemothernaturals.com/

http://www.supersalve.com/

http://www.egyptianmagic.com/

http://www.100percentpure.com/

As you probably guessed, not all of their products are coconut free. They all make really natural products that work.

Soap Nuts

2010-08-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

Soap Nuts come from a soap nut tree and are actually an alternative to soap when washing your clothes. I have not personally tried them, but if you google them, you may want to check them out.

One of our readers, Kim, is trying them out right now and will keep me posted. So far, she says , "The soap nuts work OK, but they are a pain to use. Our water is so hard that I have to boil the berries to get the soap out and add salt to the water. I may try grinding them up and see how that goes."

Make your own laundry detergent

2010-04-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

There are many sites on the web that explain how to make your own laundry detergent. Here is just one example.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Our coconut allergic friend, Heather says uses the Grandma's Lye soap. The great news is, people save a ton of money when they do it!

More soaps! Yay!

2010-04-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Attention coconut allergic readers, there are more soaps out there for us than I had posted long ago.

You may want to try these:

In the baby aisle of your supermarket:
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap

At various country stores, and even Ace Hardware:

Grandma's Lye Soap
Please don't pay more than $4 for it ;-)

At whole foods, sunflower market, and many other grocery stores:
Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Soap

I recently stayed at a Renaissance Hotel and discovered Aveda soaps that I am not allergic to. Little did I know how much they cost or I would have taken them home with me!
Aveda Rosemary Mint Bath Bar

There are several others with palm instead of coconut oil in them that may work perfectly fine for you. You can even use them as shampoo if you can't find a shampoo that works for you.
Yes, soap can be your friend!
Oh, and by the way, none of these companies has ever contacted me to promote their coconut free product. LOL. As if they would need promoting.

Orange Juice with Traces of Coconut?

2010-03-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

This is a new one for me. My orange juice may have some coconut in it? Why? How? When did this happen and is it a new cross contamination or just newly labeled? Anyway, this is the generic Walmart "Great Value" OJ. I'm not a big OJ drinker, but we have it in our house nonetheless. Look out, super coconut-sensitive people. But, hey, it's gluten free ::giggles::.

Sunscreen solutions

2009-08-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

I do hate sunscreen. . . smearing it on, missing spots, and breaking out in all sorts of allergic reactions. I found one sunscreen that works fabulously for me- it is by Badger. I call it my Kabuki sunscreen, because it leaves my skin white. At least it's not too drastic and I can see where I've put it.

But, what I like a THOUSAND times more than my kabuki badger sunscreen is my UV Skins. They are swim shirts that feel great in the water and block UV rays so that I don't have to worry about putting sunscreen on a large portion of my body. Okay, I don't love that they went on sale right after I bought them and that they are somewhat expensive, but I love not getting sunburned. I bought one for my little three year old, too, and I love not having to put sunscreen on him as well when we swim or go to the splash park. Well, I do have to put some on our faces and ears, but other than that, we're good now. When you dry them off, they are just like drying off your own skin- they don't retain water at all. And, they do look cute- even next to all my tan friends in their bikinis.

Children's Gummi Vitamins

2009-03-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

My husband bought these for our son. . . and I almost ate one just to see what they tasted like until I read the label. I would have NEVER guessed that they contain Fractionated Coconut Oil!

Surprise!

Coconut hiding in baked goods

2009-03-02T12:04:00.001-08:00

Some of my fiercest allergic reactions have been to the whack-'em-on-the-counter variety of baked goods, namely Grands biscuits and Pillsbury crescent rolls. So I had to stop eating them entirely. I contacted the company and they said that they would only give the secretest ingredients to my allergist, blah, blah, so my allergist, rather than get involved in the weirdness with pillsbury, told me just to stop eating them.

Today I was shopping instead for frozen biscuits because I have had a certain off-brand before in Arizona that had totally pure ingredients (I don't remember which one), so I looked in our local Oklahoma store. I picked up a bag of
BEST CHOICE BUTTERMILK biscuits, and there, lo and behold, actually listed in the ingredients as a flavoring is COCONUT. So. . . the secret ingredient in many of these things that can legally just be listed as a "natural flavoring" is actually coconut. It must scientifically corellate to buttermilk as far as our taste buds are concerned.

Another thing to beware of is the ingredient: sodium steroyl lactylate in these items. This contains Stearic Acid, which is over 50% of the time derived from coconut in America. Argh.

Please be careful, coconut allergic people, and read all labels of baked goods now, too, in addition to everything else you are already looking out for.

Warning: Prescription Drugs containing SLS

2009-02-24T12:09:00.001-08:00

I have just had an experience that makes me very wary. I got a prescription for a new drug from the doctor, and I actually read the "other ingredients." I would suggest that anyone who is allergic to coconut do this, because the pharmacy is certainly not going to do it for you. Actually, you would have to get a really overly involved pharmacist to even think of such a thing. Luckily, my pharmacist today kept me out of trouble. I don't know how much Sodium Laurel Sulfate is in an average capsule, probably not much, but if you have to take a medicine three times a day, it could possibly mess you up.
I am not kidding here. I have had at least mild allergic reactions to almost every single prescription drug I've taken in the past 4 years, since I developed an allergy to coconut, but of course, I don't think any of them have SLS in them, so I don't know what it really is.

Anyway, I decided to get crazy and look up some random common drugs that may contain SLS. Of course, I don't have time to look them ALL up, so this is just to give you an example. Most drugs don't contain it. Sometimes some dosages don't have the capsules, so all the rules apply, except when they don't, of course! There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the types of drugs that contain it.

B12 capsules
CIALIS® (tadalafil)
CYMBALTA® (duloxetine hydrochloride)
Deconsal (Guaifenesin)
Lyrica (pregabalin)
Robaxin (methocarbamol)
Vibra-Tabs® (doxycycline hyclate, USP)

Why do I only SOMETIMES have allergic reactions?

2008-12-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

The question has come up (thanks, Lara) of why people are allergic to some coconut sometimes, and not other times. Well, coconut allergies seem to be related to skin, in my unscientific opinion.

I've never had huge problems with coconut milk for some reason. I was able
to eat Indian and Thai food and the only problem I had was feeling a little
dizzy and having some phegm. I think that this is because it just slid
right down with soft food, unnoticed by my immune system once it got past my
mouth. If I can get coconut down my throat, it usually doesn't bother me.
My terrible reactions were if I ate something chewy or crunchy that even
gently scraped the inside of my mouth. Weird, huh. For example, I could
eat cool whip on pancakes just fine, but if I mixed it with crispy bacon, I
would end up taking benadryl as my throat closed up.

I used to eat macaroons with just a little congestion,
so I don't know what the deal is with dried coconut. But give me coconut
shrimp and I'm dying. Still, mysterious why it only happens sometimes. It
could have to do with stress levels and health or some thing. I need to go
see if there are any new books in the library, or find an allergist who has
explored these things as much as I'd like!

Sunscreen Alert!

2008-06-04T10:28:00.001-07:00

I am a big fan of sunscreen- it keeps us from getting skin cancer and age spots and even wrinkles. It's especially important to cake it on our kids before they go outside.
Now that the weather is getting hot, I was reminded by a reader (thanks, Lara) that sunscreen is a huge issue for coconut-allergic individuals. Here is part of her email:

My son gets free sunscreen at daycare from a melanoma foundation. He broke out in an angry rash everywhere that it touched. The sunscreen turns out to be high quality and "hypo-allergenic", but it's based on coconut oil. -Lara

You would think that sunscreen for babies would be our best bet, since they watch the ingredients in them so carefully, but in actuality, kids' products have even more coconut that you could imagine. Even a super high-end HelioSol that we got from our dermatologist has small amounts of Laurel-y stuff in it.

I use these with no problems (no guarantee that they are perfect for everyone, but it works for me):

Trader Joes sunscreen, and

Banana Boat Kids Ultra Mist Tear-Free Continuous Lotion Spray (this is brand-new spray-on sunscreen) I am amazed that this spray-on stuff actually works, let me tell you, I was skeptical. I just picked it up at Walmart.

I'm sure there are plenty of others, so just make sure to read labels because sunscreen sticks like glue and I know putting the wrong kind on makes my eyes puffy, my lips swell up, and gives me a huge headache and makes me dizzy. Others will just get a rash, but please be careful!

COIR- Help! I'm allergic to doormats!

2008-05-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

This week was a big DUH moment that proved my theory that coconut will find me no matter where I go! I decided I wanted a new doormat, so I started shopping for them. I wanted an awesome one, so I went to fun import stores and all they have are bristly brown ones with various designs, called "coir". As I'm digging through these, my hands start itching like they are on fire. It wasn't until I started checking prices on the labels that I read that coir is actually coconut husks. As you can imagine, I changed my mind about getting a cute doormat! I'll have to keep you posted on alternatives as it seems that other than a rubber or carpet one, these coconut husk ones are here to stay and very prevalent. These are also called "cocoa mats" and come in full-sized rugs, too.
So, if you're not going around touching them, what is the harm? The fact of the matter is, they flake off tiny coconutty particles all over your house when you rub your feet on them. Then, you'll be wondering, "why am I wheezing when I sweep the floor?" Could it be your doormat?

Questions about allergies to COCONUT OILS

2008-02-26T14:25:00.001-08:00

All the information that medical scientists and chemists have regarding allergies is a bunch of theories. I've talked at length with my allergist about some of these things, because I always just want to know WHY my crazy allergy to coconut happened sometime after I was age 28 (I'm 33 now). I've also done a lot of reading. I want to know why I react to some foods so violently sometimes and not at all to other foods that supposedly contain allergins.

One of these mysteries is why I am so terribly allergic to foods that contain coconut OILS. Allergists' theorize that you can't be allergic to oils because it is the proteins in foods that cause the allergic reaction to occur. They've done tons of tests on people who are allergic to peanuts who can safely eat peanut oil, so they say it's extremely rare to be allergic to an oil. It's a little bit confusing.
Well, I have studied coconut just a little bit, and although I'm not a chemist, I think I'm a relatively smart person and have come up with my own theories.

Coconut oil does contain coconut proteins that cause allergic reactions. I'm living proof. And this is probably why: coconut is a cold-press oil. It is processed so minimally, that depending on which manufacturer (they are mostly third-world countries FYI) made it, the purification process probably consisted of letting the coconut particles settle at the bottom of the container and pouring the oil off the top. BINGO- there is no way to chemically or mechanically remove the proteins from coconut oil that wouldn't be too costly for these producers! The difference for other oils, like peanut oil, is that they are heat-pressed and highly processed in a way that removes proteins more thoroughly.

Any insight from other allergic folks is welcome in comments. . .

Watch out for coconut in cereal

2008-02-26T14:13:00.001-08:00

I don't think of breakfast cereal as something that usually contains coconut... and I thought I had read this label before I bought it. I guess I didn't read it carefully enough!

I recently bought these Oat n Wheat Bran Swirls at Trader Joes for my husband and 2 year old. My kiddo LOVES them, and until last night I had only tried one or two swirls with no reaction at all. The only reason I don't usually eat them is because I like to eat totally organic and very low sugar, and these are not. They are about the size of a quarter and pretty hard to chew, but they are fun for toddlers. Last night I decided that we were going to munch on them for a bedtime snack and by the time I ate my fourth little piece of cereal, my mouth was itching like crazy. It was just crawling! I glanced at the label at that time and STILL missed that there was coconut in them- I must have stopped after I got to Palm oil, because I thought to myself, "Am I allergic to palm oil, too?" It wasn't until this morning, when I woke up with the roof of my mouth so swollen that I thought my teeth were going to wiggle their way loose, and my eyes were puffy that I went and read the label AGAIN, this time I payed more attention. They've got "Dried Unsulphered Unsweetened Coconut" in them. I totally wasn't expecting it. I should have had some Benadryl before bed, but who knew?

And thus is the life of someone with a coconut allergy. Why on earth have they started putting coconut in random cereals? Aaaagggh!

Hidden Coconut in Ice Cream

2008-02-24T14:14:00.000-08:00

Another surprise for someone with a coconut allergy is how many ice creams contain coconut- even if they are totally unrelated to coconut.
I just found out that TWO of my favorite ice creams at Baskin Robbins contain coconut oil- Chocolate Mousse Royale, and Mississippi Mud. I have never had any sort of reaction to these, but did have one to the No Sugar Added Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Also, many store brands (such as Moose tracks, etc) have coconut or coconut oil in them, so please read labels carefully.

Coconut-based Cleaning Products to avoid

2008-02-19T16:16:00.001-08:00

This really kills me. I started buying some "green" or "environmentally friendly" or "non-toxic" cleaning products because I like staying away from harmful chemicals. Guess what? The majority of them are coconut-based and actually give me an asthmatic reaction (wheezing, eyes watering, trouble breathing) when I use them. I can't tell you how disappointed I am because otherwise, I would totally use these products! I don't think that coconut allergies are so rare that flooding the world with more coconut products isn't going to have some consequences. My husband heard about these eco-friendly products and mentioned that we should maybe start using them. I told them they all had coconut in them and he said, "Well, you're not putting them on your body or eating them." But, alas, my reaction to them is scarier than a rash or a stomach ache- they affect my breathing!

Check them out (I'll get pictures up later)- they are ALL COCONUT-BASED:

Furniture polish- "Howard Naturals- Wood Cleaner and Polish" claims on the front to be "natural vegetable-derived ingredients with essential fragrances, Invigorating Sandalwood-Tangerine" but the first two ingredients are soy and coconut oil.

Laundry Detergents-
"Seventh Generation"
Method Brand

Toilet Bowl Cleaners-
Clorox "Green Works"
Seventh Generation "Emerald Cypress and Fir"
Natrics

General Cleaners-
Clorox "Green Works" has a "coconut-based cleaning agent (nonionic surfactant)" for both their all-purpose and glass cleaners.
Even "Simple Green" cleaners give me a terrible reaction, but I can't tell what it is that I'm allergic to in them.
Natrics

You know, I have a hunch that whatever they are doing to this coconut isn't the best for the environment either if all of us are developing horrible coconut allergies.
My personal method for cleaning is one of prevention: wipe down counter tops and showers right after using them to prevent hard water stains. Also, this is shocking, but if you run a paper towel around in your toilet on the toilet brush, then get out the harder stains with a pumice stone, you can get it to look clean (can't avoid using a little bleach, but you can do without other toxic chemicals). Vinegar does wonders on glass and baking soda is great for scouring tough stains!

Toothpaste without Coconut

2008-01-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

What toothpaste should a person with a coconut allergy use? Until recently, unless you brushed your teeth with plain baking soda, finding a toothpaste without sodium laurel sulfate (SLS is derived from coconut and is in so many things because it makes them "foamy") was impossible. My gums always burned and my eyes watered, my nose would start running, and I always felt like gagging when brushing my teeth. I actually thought I was very allergic to mint for awhile. Sometimes toothpaste even made me sneeze. And if I had a scratch in my mouth it would blister if it came into contact with toothpaste. However, the other flavors of regularly available toothpaste all did the same thing. After I found out I was allergic to coconut, I started avoiding all SLS, and had to special order some SLS-free toothpaste.
I found some that I love from Tom's of Maine called "Natural Clean and Gentle Care":I ordered it from a place called webvitamins because it was cheaper there than anywhere else, but Amazon came in a close second. I got an Apricot flavored one with fluoride and a clove flavored one without flouride (by accident, because if I don't use fluoride, I get tons of cavities). They are both fabulous and neither one makes me have a reaction. They do a great job of cleaning, too, and I really think they are onto something here.

SURPRISE! It contains coconut.

2007-12-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Foods that contain coconut are EVERYWHERE, even in places you wouldn't think.

My worst coconut allergy is to movie theater popcorn (many still put coconut oil in the butter, even when they say its got real butter in it).

These items also contain coconut:

Quaker Granola products-
I had a mild allergic reaction to the little granola bites, but didn't realize until recently that they put coconut in almost anything related to granola!

Now, I love Cool Whip, but since it has a high level of coconut oil, I am now banned from all mysterious whippy things at pot-luck dinners!

In fact, many processed foods contain some form of coconut, like this store brand "Mexican Lasagne." It has "fractionated coconut oil" in its chili spice. AAgh! Is nothing safe?

List of Coconut-free shampoos

2007-11-30T13:24:00.001-08:00

This is a hard one. I went to the health food store today and read shampoo bottles for about an hour. This was bad because I had my two-year old with me. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and found NONE. All the shampoos use some kind of coconut product. So, online I found some:

Terressentials:
Pure Earth Clay-based hair wash- this is clay-based and seems a little un-shampoo-like, and I didn't order it yet because shipping is a little crazy. But, one of our readers tried it, and said it was so gross that she couldn't brush her hair afterward.

Morroco Methods:
Earth Essence Shampoo- You can read the comments people leave on their website. Way expensive, but supposedly great stuff except it has a powerful fragrance.

Trader Joes:
They have some spa shampoos that are not totally coconut derivative free, but are SLS free, so I like those.

Go shampoo and conditioner free! This blogger tells how to use baking soda and apple cider vinegar.

Let me know if you've tried any of these or any others!

List of Coconut-free soaps

2007-11-30T13:16:00.001-08:00

Did you know that most soaps are made using coconut oil or sodium laurel sulfate, etc? This list is always a work in progress, but so far I am happy to say that I have found a few soaps that will make me wash with something other than water again:

Kiss my Face:
Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap (in addition to plain olive oil, there are several different varieties with no coconut)

Trader Joes:
Oatmeal Honey Bar Soap

Coconut-derived ingredients

2007-11-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

This is a list that I compiled from several sources (not sure how reliable all my sources are, so don't come pummel me if you are a chemical engineer and I'm wrong). After finding all of this, I thought, no wonder 95% of soaps shampoos make me itchy and make my pores flare up.

These ingredients, commonly found in soaps and shampoos, come from coconut in some way, shape, or form:

1,2 Octanediol
2 Phenoxyethanol
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
Capryl Glycol
Caprylic Acid
Caprylic Glycol
Caprylic/Capric
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
Caprylyl Glycol
Ceteareth-20
Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Glucoside
Ceteth-20 Phosphate
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Esters
Cocamide MEA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cococaprylate/Caprate
Coco Glucoside
Cocomide DEA
Coconut diethanolamide (CDFA)
Cocos nucifera (another name for coconut oil)
Coconut Oil
Disodium Cocamphodiprop
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
Emusifying Wax
Glyceryl Caprylate
Glyceryl cocoate
Hexyl Laurate
Isopropyl Myristate
Laureth-3
Lauric Acid

Lauryl Glucoside

Lauryl Alcohol
Lauramide DEA
Myristic Acid
Olefin Sulfonate
Organic Sodium Cocoate
PEG - 7 Glyceryl Cocoate
PEG -100
PEG – 100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Polysorbate 20
Sodium Cocoate

Sodium Coco-Sulfate

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Sucrose Stearate

Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
Stearalkonium chloride
Sucrose Cocoate
TEA-Laureth Sulfate
Vegetable Cetearyl Glucose
Vegetable Glycerine

My personal battle with coconut

2007-11-29T15:54:00.000-08:00

I want to make it clear that I like coconut, er, um, used to like coconut. Macaroons were my favorite cookie and german chocolate cake were one of my favorite cakes. But then the unthinkable happened.

I started having allergic reactions to the most random things a few years ago.

I found out from the allergist that I am officially(and SERIOUSLY) allergic to coconut about a month ago, and I wasn't surprised. I knew I had to be allergic to something totally random. If I went to certain movie theaters and ate the popcorn, or tried certain baked goods, my mouth would blister up and my eyes turned red. And I would have trouble breathing and felt like my throat was crawling, my lips would go numb, you get the idea. That's all a precurser to anaphalaxis.

Now I am finding that coconut is in absolutely strange and uncalled for foods and products. In the course of this blog, I will attempt to bring these wrongful items to light.

If you are also an unfortunate soul whose body attacks coconut, email me and feel free to share your info, so I can post it and all may be safe.