ABSTRACT
Products that contact the body should be made of hypoallergenic materials to reduce the potential for allergic reactions. “Allergic contact dermatitis” is the medical term used for a rash or irritation of the skin that occurs when allergens—substances that the immune system reacts to as foreign—touch product developers skin. List a few materials that are likely to cause allergic reactions and identify substitutes that can reduce the potential for allergic reactions: Latex, fiberglass, wool and metals. Some people react to natural latex rubber, a byproduct of the sap produced by the rubber tree. Nitrile is a common replacement for latex. Notably, most latex paint does not actually contain natural latex. Many people develop a rash when exposed to fiberglass insulation, or at least find it mildly irritating. Wool has many remarkable qualities, including being a great insulator and fire retardant. Some people have allergic reactions when their skin touches certain metals, particularly nickel, chrome, and copper alloys.
