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SALICYLATE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE AND SCREENING TEST
QUICK CHECK FOR TOPICAL PRODUCTS:
-
Look for any plant name (aloe, chamomile,
coconut, etc.) If you don't see a plant
name go to step #4.
-
If you see the name of any plant, look to see
if it is coupled with the word OIL, GEL, or
EXTRACT. If you see a plant name but it is
not an oil, gel or extract (jojoba esters,
acacia gum, for example) go to step 4.
-
If there is a plant oil, gel or extract, and the
plant is NOT corn, rice, oats, wheat or soy,
you cannot use the product.
If the plants are: soy, wheat, corn, or oats
(soybean oil, oat extract) go on to the next
step.
-
Check the product for salicylate, or salicylic acid
(a beta hydroxy acid). If you see one of these
listed you cannot use the product.
(Any other acid is okay.) If you do not, go to
the next step.
-
If the product doesn't contain a sunscreen
go to the next step. If it does, check for
salicylate, octisalate, homosalate meradimate or
meroxyl. If you see one of these you cannot use
the product.
-
Now look for
any chemical with the syllable MENTH or CAMPH.
If you see one of these, you cannot use
the product. If you don't, go on
to the next step.
- Check the
product for any bark extracts: balsam,
pycnogenol, bisabol, camphor. If you see a bark
extract, you cannot use the product. If
not, go to the next step.
- Does the
product have a flavor? (lip balms, sublingual
medications) If the flavor is mint, or menthol--if
you can smell or taste mint or menthol, you
cannot use the product.
QUICK CHECK DENTAL PRODUCTS:
The screening test for toothpaste,
mouthwash, gums, cough drops, lozenges, dental products-- anything
that sits in
your mouth or is topically applied.
MAKE SURE THERE IS NO MINT OR
MENTHOL. If a product lists the word
FLAVOR you must call the company to make sure the
flavor does NOT contain MINT, MENTHOL or methyl
salicylate. This includes wintergreen, peppermint,
spearmint, or artificial or synthetic mint.
BEWARE: NO COMMERCIAL TOOTHPASTES LIST THE FLAVOR
INGREDIENTS except Tom's of Maine. ALL CREST
TOOTHPASTES CONTAIN MINT. THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE
COLGATE IS THE CHILDREN'S WATERMELON FLAVOR.
QUICK CHECK FOR MEDICATIONS OR
SUPPLEMENTS:
You need the chemical (or generic) name of the
medication. If it is salicylate, salicylic
acid, or contains the syllable SAL, do not take the
medication. If you are unsure, ask your
pharmacist if the medication is a salicylate.
Generic or chemical names can be found at
www.drugs.com
If the
supplement is the name of any plant such as Ginseng,
Kava Kava, Echinacea, you cannot take it. If
it is not the name of a plant, you can.
If
the product is a supplement/medication and contains bioflavinoids, you can't use it.
Bioflavinoids include Rutin, Hesperidin, and
Quercetin.
***A WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT BUTTERS:
TRUE BUTTERS SUCH AS COCOA
BUTTER AND SHEA BUTTER ARE PROCESSED FATS FROM SEEDS.
THESE DO
NOT BLOCK GUAIFENESIN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES "BUTTERS" ARE MADE
BY ADDING A
PLANT EXTRACT SUCH AS ALOE TO AN OIL, SUCH AS COCONUT
OIL. TO BE SAFE, IF THE BUTTER IS
NOT COCOA, SHEA OR MANGO
SEED, DO NOT USE IT. WHEN IN DOUBT CONTACT THE COMPANY TO
GET
THE INGREDIENTS IN THE BUTTER.
CLAUDIA MAREK JUNE 2008
SOME GUIDELINES TO HELP YOU CHECK YOUR PRODUCTS:
The following products often contain salicylates
so check them extra carefully:
-
Deodorants, especially roll-ons, check for castor oil.
(All spray deodorants are fine.)
- Acne or Oily Skin products: check especially for salicylic
acid (beta hydroxy acid), menthol or witch hazel.
-
Lotions - look for aloe, plant oils such as sesame seed.
-
Hair products - look for chamomile, borage, salicylic acid,
balsam.
-
Toothpaste and dental floss - make sure it doesn't have mint
flavor or menthol in the flavor.
-
Lipsticks - look for castor oil, other plants oils.
- Chapsticks and lip balms: check for aloe, menthol, camphor,
salicylic acid.
-
Shaving creams - check especially for aloe, mint or mentholatum.
- Razors-make sure there is no aloe strip
-
Sunscreens - check for octisalate, homosalate, meradimate,
mexoryl,
camphor, aloe.
-
Medicated creams, like Ben-Gay, Noxzema, Blistex: look for menthol, camphor,
or methyl salicylate.
- Hemorrhoid products: check for aloe, witch hazel or menthol.
-
If it feels cool or if it burns, it probably contains
menthol--check carefully
- Cortisone Creams, over the counter: check for aloe
- Gum, cough drops, hard candies--check for mint or menthol.
-
In Skin Toners check especially for witch hazel or arnica or
salicylic acid.
-
Vitamin C--check for bioflavonoids, or added plants such as
alfalfa, parsley or rose hips.
-
Toilet paper and kleenex may have aloe.
- Gardening:
Use waterproof gloves when gardening.
-
Use gloves for chores if you use plant oils such as: Pinesol or
Lemon Oil.
-
Bubble baths and shower gels: check for plant oils such sesame
seed or extracts such as lavender.
-
Wart or callus removers check for salicylate, salicylic acid
- Exfolliating gels or scrubs: check for salicylic acid
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