Allergy to Castor Oil?

[melstan775]

I recently had an allergic reaction to one of the soaps in my shower (there's like 7 in there). It was one of the natural soaps, and when I was comparing the ingredients in it to some of the other soaps, the one that kept coming up was Castor Oil. I've noticed too, I get a little bit irritated from my own soaps if I play with them too long, and I also used Castor Oil in them. Has anyone had an allergy to Cstor before, and is there a way to test it? I thought about doing a skin patch test.

 

[Genny]

The only way to test for allergy for it would be to skin patch test it.
Also, a lot of people find castor drying & irritating, even though they're not allergic to it. I learned that while researching lip balm recipes long ago.

 

[melstan775]

It wasn't drying for me, I literally swelled up until I couldn't bend my hands. I had to go get a shot I benedryl to block the histamine reaction. They also gave me something for the swelling. Patch test it is then. I have benedryl at home now in case it happens again.

 

[Smee]

WAIT!!! Before you pour that castor oil all over yourself!!
Read this:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/549786-the-dangers-of-putting-castor-oil-on-the-skin/

I'm no doctor, and I haven't even spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express recently, but
please be careful and have someone with you if you decide to test yourself. Or, do a
bit of reading online about castor oil and allergies if you haven't already?

 

[melstan775]

Thanks for that smee. I've noticed my lips get sensitive when I wear lipgloss anymore. Seems castor is a likely suspect. If so, I won't be using it in my soaps. What can I use to make more lather and bubbles if not castor?

 

[paillo]

I seem to have a castor oil sensitivity too. Have noticed when soaping that if I don't clean the castor oil drips off my hands immediately that I get the itchies. I spent years using prescription creams for what seemed like eczema. Haven't had symptoms in decades, and never with my soaps, but a high percentage or undiluted castor oil is definitely an irritant. Going to do a patch test. Great question, Melstan!

 

[Nevada]

Many people love Castor for it's properties. I am not sure I like it. Haven't used it in the last few batches.

For lather and bubbles use more coconut oil and replace all your water with Fresh Whole Milk. Whole milk has more Lactose than Cream!

Cleopatra'Soap

Palm oil or Lard 20%
Coconut Oil 20%
Olive Oil 60%

Roy

Thanks for that smee. I've noticed my lips get sensitive when I wear lipgloss anymore. Seems castor is a likely suspect. If so, I won't be using it in my soaps. What can I use to make more lather and bubbles if not castor?

 

[melstan775]

Good luck paillo!

Thanks for that Nevada. I will definitly give it a shot the next time I soap and see how I like it.

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

Many people love Castor for it's properties. I am not sure I like it. Haven't used it in the last few batches.

For lather and bubbles use more coconut oil and replace all your water with Fresh Whole Milk. Whole milk has more Lactose than Cream!

Cleopatra'Soap

Palm oil or Lard 20%
Coconut Oil 20%
Olive Oil 60%

Roy

so this would be a Bastille Milk soap, correct?

 

[kharmon320]

I was adding about 5% Castor to each batch until about 6 months ago. I was messing around with the recipe and realized I liked the feel of the "non-castor" bar much better in the shower. If you haven't tried your recipe without the castor, just see if you like it by simply deleting. You may like it fine without adding something else for bubbles, etc. That being said, you could add a bit of sugar to your lye water to help boost bubbles.

Sorry about your reaction! Please be very careful if you decide to patch test. Usually reactions become more severe with each exposure.

 

[Genny]

so this would be a Bastille Milk soap, correct?

No, almost. Bastille is 70% olive oil, 30% other oils/butters.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

WAIT!!! Before you pour that castor oil all over yourself!!
Read this:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/549786-the-dangers-of-putting-castor-oil-on-the-skin/

I'm no doctor, and I haven't even spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express recently, but
please be careful and have someone with you if you decide to test yourself. Or, do a
bit of reading online about castor oil and allergies if you haven't already?

That website is notorious for "fear mongering"...the first paragraph states that

Castor Oil is "dangerous" if you have an allergy to it:
If you are allergic or sensitive to castor oil, using it on your skin may be dangerous. Once you know more about the dangers of castor oil on the skin, you can determine if it is right for you.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/5...putting-castor-oil-on-the-skin/#ixzz2OBIH5Yrq

The rest of the article would have you believe that Castor Oil alone is dangerous. People also jump on the "ricin" bandwagon, but the protein is not found in refined Castor Oil that consumers can get their hands on.

The castor seed contains ricin, a toxic protein. Heating during the oil extraction process denatures and inactivates the protein.

Harvesting the seeds can be an issue, and if not properly handled can lead to problems...but using Castor Oil for cosmetic purposes is not "dangerous". It has been used for centuries as a laxative and to induce labor...I'm not saying you should use it for those purposes, just that it has been. If it can be consumed by the tablespoonful, then surely the little bit you get in lip balm won't kill you unless you are allergic to it!

 

[houseofwool]

Given the severity of your reaction, a patch test needs to be done with medical supervision. Please don't attempt it at home.

 

[lizflowers42]

thanks for that smee. I've noticed my lips get sensitive when i wear lipgloss anymore. Seems castor is a likely suspect. If so, i won't be using it in my soaps. What can i use to make more lather and bubbles if not castor?

beer!

 

[Moonshea Botanicals]

No, almost. Bastille is 70% olive oil, 30% other oils/butters.

ok I am just getting a handle on the soaping terms. I am glad I wasn't too far off. Thanks

 

[melstan775]

I patch tested last night and it itched for a few minutes but no redness, swelling, or other irritation. So now I don't know. Hmmm. Could it be the lye? I've never had trouble with coconut olive or palm before. Maybe it was the fragrrence. Frankly I am at a loss.

 

[Genny]

Could it have been something that you ate?

 

[Nevada]

Shouldn't have any lye in the soap. Maybe just seasonal allergies? When I get a good neck massage my skin itches. Maybe your soap is just so stimulating? :shock:
Roy

I patch tested last night and it itched for a few minutes but no redness, swelling, or other irritation. So now I don't know. Hmmm. Could it be the lye? I've never had trouble with coconut olive or palm before. Maybe it was the fragrrence. Frankly I am at a loss.

 

[Smee]

Shawnee, you are very right. Livestrong does go "overboard" frequently imo, too.
It was probably the wrong link to post, but I was looking quick for something
about allergies and it came up first. I have several family members with
life-threatening allergies, and just cannot emphasize enough how important
it is to be careful when self-testing.
Thanks for bringing up the rational side of this. :wave:

 

[melstan775]

It could have been something I ate. It. It could have been a new beer I drank. I could been bitten by a bug. But the doctor and techs thought it could be the soap because t was a full body reaction. Apparently changing soaps is a major cause of allergy reactions. I'd like to try the soap again. That is something I should probably see a doctor about.