Living with eczema is more than just a challenge; it’s a shared journey among 223 million people worldwide. Many of us, unknowingly, face the daily disruption of our skin barriers due to harmful chemicals. If you’re dealing with eczema, you’re not alone.
Let’s explore together how ordinary things around us could be harboring a notorious trigger of extreme inflammation that can incite a chronic itching cycle within our skin.
The number 1 most toxic chemical to cause severe eczema flare-ups and sudden atopic dermatitis is diisocyanates!
Diisocyanates (DII) are part of a family of adaptable building blocks used to make a wide range of polyurethane products. Polyurethane is a plastic material that’s used in many forms. The flexibility of this substance makes it VERY popular in manufacturing an array of things. To give you an idea, they can be used anywhere from sofa cushions to car bumpers.
Because of the highly sought-after polyurethane material, the chemical used to make it (Diisocyanates) is a HUGE $38.8 billion enterprise. Yet, concerns have been rising about the adverse effects of Diisocyanates (DII) over the years; especially in those dealing with eczema.
Latest research singles out Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) as being the chief instigators of atopic dermatitis.
Although mainly found in work-related areas, diisocyanates (DII) have been shown to wreak havoc on not only the skin but the eyes and lungs as well. It can strain the cardiovascular and cause symptoms of, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dry throat, & even death in some cases!
There have been countless reports of factory workers experiencing itchy, inflamed skin when exposed to diisocyanates. The urgency to understand the connection between contact dermatitis and this harmful toxin increasingly grows each year.
Diisocyanates (DII) are used in a variety of applications. They infiltrate every corner of our lives, from the glues in refrigerators to the rubber in car tires. They’re also heavily involved in the manufacturing of:
The very materials used in building a house! However, we can’t go forward without mentioning the connection between Isocyanates & diisocyanates (DII). These chemicals are essentially one and the same. They can show up in your day-to-day without you even noticing via:
The list goes on…
Isocyanates are the active component of DII. The abbreviation “DII” meaning 2; suggests that two Isocyanates are needed to make it. Nevertheless, isocyanates have been linked to inflammatory skin conditions in people living in industrialized nations for many years.
This chemical can also take the form of modern pollutants such as steam or smoke from catalytic converters and car exhausts which has been proven to trigger atopic dermatitis.
Researchers revealed that Isocyanates disrupt lipid production in commensal bacteria of your skin barrier. This opens the door for harmful pathogens to invade your nervous system, resulting in skin irritation and the dreaded development of atopic dermatitis.
In addition to disrupting your commensal bacteria, Isocyanates activate the thermo-itch receptor TRPA1, subjecting you to an unending cycle of chronic itching upon exposure.
The NIH and Dr. Myles have witnessed how these chemicals prevent healthy skin from producing natural oils needed to stay hydrated when conducting experiments on mice. The chemical triggers certain receptors on your skin that increase eczema flare-ups.
The presence of eczema has risen 2 to 3 times higher in industrialized countries since the 1970s. Dr. Myles's research in eczema “hot spots” implies that the skyrocketing numbers of people experiencing inflamed skin in the past 50 years are due to the higher levels of isocyanate exposure.
Isocyanates is an environmental antagonist along with being a huge eczema trigger. It’s known to spread through pollution such as:
Shielding yourself from isocyanates might seem daunting, especially in a modern, industrialized world. On top of that, You’re probably already dealing with a lot of stress from mitigating other causes that have been triggering your eczema. Yet, simple strategies can make a significant difference.
Currently, there’s not much research on preventative measures towards isocyanates & diisocyanates (DII). However, you’re now armed with the awareness of the #1 most toxic chemical triggering debilitating eczema flare-ups in modern times.
As mentioned earlier in the blog, isocyanates & diisocyanates (DII) are widely used throughout society. They’re a HUGE component of manufacturing things we come in contact with every day.
The carcinogenic resides anywhere from our furniture to our way of transportation. It would be nice to rid away this eczema-inducing chemical that’s detrimental to our health; but, changing a system that’s been embedded in society since the 1970s is like trying to move a mountain.
Share your thoughts below on how we, as a community, can address the challenge of isocyanates in the modern world.
Zeldin, J., Chaudhary, P. P., Spathies, J., Yadav, M., D'Souza, B. N., Alishahedani, M. E., Gough, P., Matriz, J., Ghio, A. J., Li, Y., Sun, A. A., Eichenfield, L. F., Simpson, E. L., & Myles, I. A. (2023). Exposure to isocyanates predicts atopic dermatitis prevalence and disrupts therapeutic pathways in commensal bacteria. Science advances, 9(1), eade8898. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade8898
Kieć-Świerczyńska, M., Swierczyńska-Machura, D., Chomiczewska-Skóra, D., Nowakowska-Świrta, E., & Kręcisz, B. (2014). Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam. International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 27(2), 196–205. https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0249-9
Kersh, A. E., Helms, S., & de la Feld, S. (2018). Glove-Related Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 29(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000335
Hamada, H., Isaksson, M., Bruze, M., Engfeldt, M., Liljelind, I., Axelsson, S., Jönsson, B., Tinnerberg, H., & Zimerson, E. (2012). Dermal uptake study with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate led to active sensitization. Contact dermatitis, 66(2), 101–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2011.01995.x
Tsagareli, M. G., Follansbee, T., Iodi Carstens, M., & Carstens, E. (2023). Targeting Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels, Mas-Related G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (Mrgprs), and Protease-Activated Receptors (PARs) to Relieve Itch. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 16(12), 1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16121707
**The information provided above is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Individuals seeking guidance on health-related matters should consult with their healthcare provider for personalized advice and recommendations tailored to their specific needs and medical history.**
Loved this Blog. Extremely informative and has helped me clearly understand about my own situation. Awesome
This Blog was phenomenal and very informative.
Very informative post. I found this on Google and haven’t heard of this site before. Most of these sites don’t allow comments so I figured I would let everyone know how good this is.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
RS
July 19, 2024
Useful. I can do something about this.