Cocamide-DEA
What are the aims of this patient information leaflet?
This leaflet has been written to help you understand more about your contact allergy. It tells you what a contact allergy is, what causes this allergy and what you can do about it.
What is contact allergy?
Dermatitis, also known as eczema, describes a type of inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis or contact eczema is a term used when this inflammation is caused by direct or indirect skin contact with something in your environment. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your immune system causes allergy to a very specific chemical or substance that has been in contact with the skin.
What causes your specific allergy?
Your patch tests indicate that you have a contact allergy to cocamide DEA.
What is cocamide DEA?
Cocamide DEA is a surfactant (foaming agent).
What are some products that contain cocamide DEA?
- Shampoos and conditioners including Dandrazol antidandruff shampoos
- Antifungal and antiseptic creams
- Hand gels
- Liquid hand soaps and cleansers
- Industrial hand cleansers and barrier creams
- Hydraulic oils and metal working fluids.
Occupations at risk of developing allergy to cocamide DEA include healthcare workers, metal workers and hairdressers.
Remember, always check the label, these lists can never be complete and ingredients change.
How can I manage my allergy?
This means that you should avoid putting products containing cocamide DEA onto your skin in the future.
It is also known as coconut diethanolamide, cocamine diethanolamine and coconut fatty acids diethanolamide.
Self-care (what can I do?)
Always check the ingredient listing on the product, package or package insert as these lists can never be complete and ingredients change. This is particularly important for any products purchased outside the EU where some allergens may not be banned.
Created: 2020