For those with food allergies avoiding the food they are allergic to becomes a way of life. Reading labels and becoming aware of the hidden sources of a particular allergen are a necessary part of staying healthy. Equally important is being aware of non food items that can potentially carry allergens and cause a reaction as well. While many food allergies are a reaction to foods that you ingest that is not always the case.

It is as important to read labels on shampoos, lotions, toothpastes, and medications as it is on the foods that you eat. Toothpaste is a common source of allergens with most major brands containing gluten or some other allergen. There are a number of natural brands such as Tom’s toothpaste that do not contain allergens and are readily available at health food stores and many supermarkets.

Lotions can contain milk, nuts, wheat and other grains and are a huge source of allergens. Lipstick can contain wheat and oils that may contain soy, sesame or other allergens. Foundations often contain soy and there are a number of other cosmetics that contain oils and flours that can be potential sources of allergens.

Medications and Supplements are a huge source of allergens and need to be looked at carefully. Prescription medications often have allergens in them and without a readily available ingredient list you may not think about it. It is really important to talk to your pharmacist about your allergies and be sure that he checks the package insert for possible allergens. Supplements may contain milk, soy, wheat or shellfish in particular calcium supplements and glucosamine are typically made from shellfish and should be avoided by anyone with an allergy to shellfish.

Hair care products are full of allergens and need to be examined carefully, often times it is easier to simply find hair care products that are free of the common allergens than it is to try to decipher the labels of commercial products. Shampoos, conditioners and hair dye often contain wheat, and many shampoos and conditioners can contain nut oils or extracts or soy products.

Adhesives are another area you may not think too much about but even these can contain allergens such as wheat in the glue. You can buy self adhesive stamps and envelopes to avoid this problem.