Compositae allergy
This article has been translated from Finnish to English by Semantix. You can find the original article at the web adress https://www.kosmetiikka-allergia.fi/tietopankki/mykerokukkaisallergiaKirjaudu
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by the plants belonging to the family of compositae (Asteracease) is not the same as pollen allergy. People with allergic contact dermatitis experience skin symptoms when the substance comes in contact with their skin.
Allergic contact dermatitis is diagnosed by patch tests which usually contains compositae mix and sometimes also sesquiterpene lactone mix. Sesquiterpene lactones are allergens found in the plants of the family Asteracease.
A person with compositae allergy should avoid touching the plants. The allergic contact dermatitis can also be airborne. It is also possible that a person with compositae allergy gets an allergic reaction from cosmetic products that contain substances from these plants. Cosmetic products that contain these substances should be avoided or at least used with precaution. A person with allergic contact dermatitis can safely consume the edible plants of the family Asteracease, such as lettuce and sunflower seeds.
The following compositae plants are used in the cosmetic products (the INCI –names of the plants are in brackets):
Arnica (Arnica montana), southernwood,(Artemisia abrotanum), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), burdock (Arctium lappa, Arctium majus, Arctium minus), mugwort (Arthemisia vulgaris), daisy (Bellis perennis), marigold (Calendula officinalis), cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus), matricaria recutita (Chamomilla recutita), Chrysantemum indicum, feverfew (Chrysantemum parthenium), Chrysantemum sinense, chicory (Cichorium intybus), artichoke (Cynara scolymus), narrow-leaved purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), pale purple coneflower (Echinaceae pallida), eastern purple coneflower (Echinaceae purpurea), Eupatorium purpureum, sunflower (Helianthus annuus), strawflowers (Helichrysum), milk-thistle, mouse ear (Hieracium pilosella), (Silybum marianum), goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea, Solidago odora), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), lettuce (Lactuca sativa).