OT: Anyone else here allergic to cinnamon? Some Q's...

[aguinn]

So my dermatologist thinks I am allergic to cinnamon, aka cinnamic aldehyde. I keep getting these welts on my face that are very painful and never really result in a whitehead. She prescribed no cinnamon or mint of any kind (no gum, no peppermint tea, no cinnamon rolls... you get the idea).

In the week since I found this out, I have come to realize that the list of foods and personal products (i.e., toothpaste) that *do not* have some type of cinnamon in them is pretty short.

She gave me a very short list (6, to be exact) of toothpastes that I could use. Unfortunately, none of them are currently being sold (for instance, Crest Tartar Protection Smooth Mint Gel is not even listed on the Crest Web site). I had been using Tom's of Maine, but that is filled with cinnamon oil, a big no-no if I want my skin to feel better.

If this is a problem for you, what kind of toothpaste do you use? Do you have any suggestions of chewing gum (not bubble gum) that does not have cinnamon or mint in it? Any other info you care to share is welcome, too!

tia,
;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b4.lilypie.com/3dP3m4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b2.lilypie.com/zG-8m5/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[JFC]

Amy,

My DH's dermatologist told him the same thing! Of course, she didn't expand into the toothpaste or other information - now I feel like I need to go read the labels, etc. Would you mind sharing the list you have? Thanks!

[californiagirl]

I just got a Tom's of Maine in mango, I think; you might want to check all their kinds. There was an apricot one too.

[aguinn]

Jess,

This info was on a photocopied page from one of her medical books:

* Aim
* Arm & Hammer Dental Care Tartar Control
* Crest Tartar Protection Smooth Mint Gel
* Crest Cavity Protection Icy Mint Stripe
* Crest Gum Care
* Crest Multicare
* Mentadent
* Pepsodent
* Ultrabrite Whitening

I guess there were more than 6, but 9 is not all that better when I can't find any of them as they are listed!

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b4.lilypie.com/3dP3m4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b2.lilypie.com/zG-8m5/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[schums]

I don't know if this will help, but I just ran up and looked in our toothpaste stash, and none of them (Crest, Colgate) had cinnamic aldehyde on the ingredients list. The list for Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint flavor reads:
*stannous flouride (active),
*glycerin,
*hydrated silica,
*sodium hexametaphosphate,
*propylene glycol,
*PEG-6,
*water,
*zinc lactate,
*trisodium phosphate,
*flavor,
*sodium lauryl sulfate,
*sodium gluconate,
*carrageenan,
*sodium saccharin,
*polyethylene,
*xanthan gum,
*tiranium dioxide,
*blue 1.

I grabbed the Crest because it was on your list of brands, and you have other mint flavors on the list, but the other toothpastes had similar lists. Hopefully, none of these lovely words are on your list of things to avoid.

GL,

Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)

[aguinn]

Sarah,

Thanks for taking the time to list those out. You actually pointed out a main part of my dilemma: cinnamon and/or cinnamic aldehyde is never listed as an ingredient (unless it's Tom's). I believe they lump it in with the "flavor" ingredient. It's quite frustrating!

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b4.lilypie.com/3dP3m4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b2.lilypie.com/zG-8m5/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[Sillygirl]

Maybe you could brush your teeth with a paste of baking soda, and your dentist could recommend a separate fluoride treatment? Bit of a pain compared to squeezing out some toothpaste, but at least until you track down the type you need. . .

[daniele_ut]

>Jess,
>
>This info was on a photocopied page from one of her medical
>books:
>
>* Aim
>* Arm & Hammer Dental Care Tartar Control
>* Crest Tartar Protection Smooth Mint Gel
>* Crest Cavity Protection Icy Mint Stripe
>* Crest Gum Care
>* Crest Multicare
>* Mentadent
>* Pepsodent
>* Ultrabrite Whitening


I know that I've seen Aim at Wal-Mart recently, but here are several varieties available at drugstore.com:

Aim:
http://www.drugstore.com/search/search.asp?searchtype=1&trx=28198&trxp1=10784&ipp=20&srchtree=5&search=aim

Pepsodent:
http://www.drugstore.com/search/search.asp?searchtype=1&trx=28198&trxp1=60&ipp=20&srchtree=1&search=pepsodent

Mentadent:
http://www.drugstore.com/search/search.asp?searchtype=1&trx=28198&trxp1=10784&ipp=20&srchtree=5&search=mentadent

[aguinn]

Hmmm, that may work... thanks for the idea!

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b4.lilypie.com/3dP3m4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b2.lilypie.com/zG-8m5/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[aguinn]

Daniele,

Thanks for researching those for me. My concern is that they are all "specialized" (for lack of a better term right now). What I mean is, the Crest types were listed out specifically, but Aim was not. I have a call in to my dermatologist right now to get more info, but I know they make a "regular" or "original" Aim and not one that's whitening or tartar control or whatever other offerings. Does that make sense? It's just so hard to figure it out without the ingredient specifically listed!

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b4.lilypie.com/3dP3m4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b2.lilypie.com/zG-8m5/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[DrSally]

I use mentadent and like it (not allergic to cinnamon. You can buy the refills, so that saves $$ and cuts down on packaging. That s$%ks that cinnamon isn't listed as an ingred. Our ped said "natural flavor" sometimes means milk!