I was feeling guilty as hell.

It was past midnight as I tip-toed my wheelchair out of the bedroom, so that Monika (the wife) would not hear me. On my lap was a pile of plastic bottles – large and small, yellow, purple, white and translucent – and some glass containers that I had sneaked out from the loo.

I sat in the drawing room, piling the bottles on the sofa, dampening their sound against a cushion. Blackie, the adopted street dog, (variously called Bilkis, Bilkoo, Thimpu), came up behind me, hoping for a mid-night snack and, wagging her chrysanthemum-like tail, started whimpering. I shushed her and waited for a minute or so to check if my movements had woken up Monika. Satisfied that she was blissfully asleep, I switched on the laptop and started arranging all the jars and bottles in front of me in neat rows. It was time to do my research, and like I said, I felt guilty like hell. After all, companies had spent millions of dollars testing these products in every possible way, screening them for safe usage. And here I was, a doubting Thomas, checking up on them.

I’ve had this itching allergy for about seven years, now. My eyes swell up and get all puffy and raw-like and the skin itches in a strange way from the inside. A skin specialist told me to think about how I spend my day, what I eat, what I use, what I wear, etc. So, my plan was simple, list the things that I use on a daily basis and try and isolate the problem ingredient.

So, how did I spend my day? I began by brushing my teeth with the extra whitener toothpaste. I picked up my favourite toothpaste and listed the ingredients.

Colgate Advanced Whitener : Silica Sorbitol, Glycerine, Sodium fluoride. It also said that children under 6 years of age should use it under adult supervision and only a pea amount. It also said ‘Do not swallow, spit and rinse thoroughly’.

I decided to go after sodium fluoride. So I googled it on the laptop.

I found that kidneys can eliminate only about 50% of the daily fluoride intake. The rest gets absorbed in calcified tissues, like bones and teeth. For the average individual, a retention of 2mg/day would result in crippling skeletal fluorosis after 40 years. Small children, even if pea-size amount is used, will still absorb the same, more if the child is younger and has less swallowing control skills. Half a tube of toothpaste can kill a child.

Wow! Now I knew how to pop off irritating children. So my toothpaste was safe. Sodium Fluoride didn’t cause any allergies.

I moved on. After brushing, I normally shave and put on an after shave lotion. I checked the lotion.

Old Spice : Alcohol denatured with 1% diethyl phthalate.

Off to the Internet. I found that phthalates are a family of chemical plasticizers that are used in personal care products to moisturize skin and as a solvent. They are almost synonymous with fragrance. Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments, and liver damage in lab animals.

That was cool, then, no allergies.

I also found that manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in ‘fragrance’, but common ingredients also include methylene chloride, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl alcohol and benzyl chloride, all of which are hazardous. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ‘fragrance’ is the number one cause of allergic reactions in cosmetics.

There it was! An allergy caused by fragrance. But it didn’t mention diethyl phthalate, specifically, so maybe this wasn’t it. I decide to move on.

Okay, so next I have a bath, sometimes I shampoo my hair and sometimes, when it’s hot I apply talcum. I prefer Old Spice talcum powder and use L’Oreal, or Ultra Doux and, on occasion, Clinic shampoo. Actually, to tell the truth, it depends on what Monika is using.

So I started listing the ingredients. Now it was getting a bit complicated. If I hadn’t had the allergy for seven years I would have given up then and there. Here’s the list of ingredients.

L’Oreal Liss Extreme contained Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Glucerin, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Cocamide Mipa, Polyquaternium 10, Disodium Ricinoleamido MEA-Sulfosuccinate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional,  Butylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ethylparaben, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolized wheat protein, Isopropanolamine, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Magnesium acetate, 2-Oleamido-13-Octadecanediol, Linalool, Asparitic Acid, Glycine, Arginine, Parfum (fragrance).

 
What the? Was this rocket fuel or a shampoo?

 
Ummm, I think I’ll go for this polyquarternium 10 thing. Click, click, type, type, enter.

 Quarterniums are toxic, cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. They are formaldehyde releasers. Dr Epstein reports in his book that there is substantive evidence of casual relation to leukaemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other cancers.

 There was the allergy again. Hmmm, what about this Sodium Laureth Sulfate? Click, click, type, type, enter.

 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is found in soaps and shampoos and is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines. In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, sodium lauryl sulfate dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins, which causes not only irritation, but also allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin.

Perhaps most worryingly, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone oestrogen. This may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

No allergies there, as far as I could tell.

Ultra Doux – A Delightful Experience – contained Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Chlorohexidine Dihydrochloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Patrimonium Chloride, Methylparaben, Quaternium-80, Tilia Cordata Flower extract, Parfum / Fragrance (C15056/1)

Hmmm…Propylene Glycol?

 Propylene glycol (PG) is a petroleum derivative. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn't even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications. I remembered the time when my father-in-law had tried a deodorant stick and then roamed around the house in a vest for a week because of the allergy he had in his armpits.

I was getting hooked on to this, so I continued.

Johnsons’ Baby Shampoo contained Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Polysorbate20, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-150 Distearate, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-2-Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone, PEG-8 Succinate, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium ChloridelAcrylamide Copolymer, Polyquarternium-10, Quaternium-15, Fragrance, Benzyl alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric acid.

 Lots of quarterniums here. Why not try something else? Dimethicone? Click, click, type, type, enter.

Silicone emollients are occlusive, that is, they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.) Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumour promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact.

Oriflame Yoghurt and Blackcurrant Cream Mask. I don’t use this, okay! It just came along with all the other stuff that Monika uses. It contains Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethyhexyl Stearate, Butyrospermum ParkII, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Gluceth-20, GlycerylPolymethacrylate, cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloldimethyl Taurate, Ribes Nicrum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Imidazolidinyl, Urea, Propylene glycol, Sodium benzoate, Ethylenediamine, Denatonium Benzoate, Butyl Paraben.

I’ll go for Butyl Paraben. I felt like someone on Kaun Banega Crorepati, selecting options. Click, click, type, type, enter.

Parabens are used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend the shelf-life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Highly toxic. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Cause irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. May cause allergic skin reaction. Eye contact causes irritation, redness, and pain.

 Wow! A cream mask that causes skin rashes!

 Old Spice Talcum – Triclosan, Isopropyl Myristate.

 Triclosan, please, that has nice ring to it. Click, click, type, type, enter.

 Triclosan (in talcum and toothpastes) could be, and is suspected to be, contaminated with dioxins. Dioxins can be found in triclosan as impurities formed during the manufacturing process. Researchers who added triclosan to river water and exposed it to ultraviolet light found that a significant portion of the triclosan was converted to dioxins, raising fears that sunlight could transform triclosan to dioxins naturally. A study by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute finds that triclosan reacts with chlorine molecules in tap water to form chlorinated dioxins, which are highly toxic forms of dioxin. The same study also found that the combination of tap water and triclosan produces significant quantities of chloroform, which is a probable human carcinogen. Production of chloroform and dioxins may also be a problem in pools, where there are high levels of chlorine that can react to triclosan residues on people's skin.

Good Knight, mosquito repellent lotion – Diethyltoluamide topical lotion.

 Diethyltoluamide has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that diethyltoluamide is passed on to the offspring. One animal study has shown diethyltoluamide to cause death of the foetus. Before using diethyltoluamide, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

 Lesson that I learned: Don’t try and make babies if you are applying Good Knight!

 Kiwi Kleen Toilet Cleaner (Lemon) – Hydrochloric Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride, Amine Ethoxylate, Acid Brilliant Blue, Perfume.

 Benzalkonium Chloride is corrosive and toxic, It causes burns. It is harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact. May cause reproductive defects.

 Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo – Ketoconazole, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate, Brilliant Blue FCF, Water.

 Ketoconazole may cause liver damage. Tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver disease. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, others); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); niacin (nicotinic acid); or rifampin.

 There were lots of other ingredients but I was tired. Then I wondered, what about the harmless glycerine I use. What the hell, why not? Click, click, type, type, enter.

Glycerin is a syrupy liquid that is chemically produced by combining water and fat. It is used as a solvent and a plasticiser. Unless the humidity of air is over 65%, glycerin draws moisture from the lower layers of the skin and holds it on the surface, drying the skin from the inside out. Serious risks if ingested. The vast majority of skin care, hair care and other products marketed as moisturising, hydrating or replenishing use glycerin as one of their main active ingredients. It is clear from the data above, that this is a myth, resulting in an increased level of moisture at the surface of the skin at the expense of drying out the deep, sensitive, newly formed skin in the basal layers.

Lies, all lies, I muttered. These days, it is getting very difficult to find reliable information on the Internet. All these companies have souls and God-fearing, nice people working for them. People who have children of their own. They’d never put out deadly stuff like this.

I realised that I hadn’t even begun on the food items stacked in front of me. Pretty tired, guilty and, of course, itchy, I lumbered on with the food packages. Biscuits, pickles, cereal packets were studied and I quickly decided to just go for the natural and artificial flavouring and colouring agents.

I found that preservatives are of two kinds – antimicrobials, that prevent growth of moulds, yeasts and bacteria; and antioxidants, which keep foods from turning rancid or developing black spots.

Nitrites, a kind of antimicrobial, for example, inhibit the growth of bacterial spores that cause botulism, a deadly food-borne illness. They are used for colour enhancement of cured meat, poultry, and fish products. They are often found in preserved meats, including bacon, hot dogs, bologna, and salami. Nitrates react with substituted amides to form nitrosamides which are carcinogenic. Why are carcinogenic food additives allowed in food?  The risk of adverse health effects from botulism is much greater than the risk of developing cancer from small amounts of nitrites.

Sulfites, another form of antimicrobials, include sulfur dioxide in fruits, sulfites in grapes and wine, and metabisulfites in other foods, and they sometimes cause allergic reactions, or headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. Anyone suffering from allergies or asthma should minimize or avoid sulfited foods.

Synthetic sweeteners like Aspartame, and acesulfame-K are widely used in soft drinks, candies, chewing gum and a variety of other products. Two research studies found aspartame to have caused brain tumors in lab animals, and it should be avoided by pregnant women and children under seven.

That was a relief. I was not a lab animal, pregnant woman or a child under seven.

Preservatives such as BHA, BHT and EDTA are used in small quantities in grain products like cereal, soup bases, and other foods containing oil to prevent rancidity. These are potentially toxic to the liver and kidneys, and they've been known to cause allergic reactions and neurotoxic effects. Children can be especially sensitive to preservatives and they may cause behavioral changes and hyperactivity. Interestingly, BHT is prohibited as a food additive in the UK.

Artificial flavours represent the largest number of food additives. Most of the food products with artificial flavor additives are highly processed. Both adults and children may exhibit allergic reactions and other health issues from these chemical flavorings.

Olestra is a synthesized fat substitute first used in potato chips. It's a non-absorbable oil polymer, thus it's not metabolized by the body. Certain consumers have reported digestive and other problems from Olestra consumption, including diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

Food packaged in PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a known carcinogen, and it's often used as plastic food wrap. Many grocery stores seal meats and other foods in PVC wrap; a particularly dangerous practice for warm or fatty foods, both of which help release the PVC into the food.

So what about my eye allergy?

I decided I’d just listen to what my Ayurveda Acharya had advised laconically, in his baritone voice: “Stop Eating Ketchup.” It had helped a great deal, after all.