Several years ago I had a allergic reaction that caused my lips to itch and swell until they made Angelina Jolie jealous. After weeks of outbreaks and not having any idea what it could be and, even my doctor having a chuckle at my state I solved the mystery. Not only had I been ingesting this but it was in almost every lip gloss, lipstick, and chapstick I owned.
What is this terrible ingredient: Tartrazine. Think that you don't eat this? Ever had Kraft KD or fruit loops? Not only can it be listed as tartrazine but also yellow dye#5, C.I. 19140, E102, and even as the non threatening ingredient:colour. How much damage could this little dye do you wonder? Aside from sever allergic reactions causing hives, swelling and extreme itchiness, it is also know to cause hyperactivity in children.
I recently made a trip to the theatre to watch a movie and after having a couple of handfuls of popcorn goodness(or so I thought) I spent the rest of the evening in Claritin induced delirium trying not to scratch the hives that covered my wrists, chest and neck. I awoke in a better state but a few hours later and, much before the claimed 24 hour dose time on the package, the hives reared their ugly heads again. Benadryl now became my drug of choice and amidst the fog in my brain every 4 hours new breakouts appeared as this toxic substance makes it's way through my body. How long will it last, the kind ER doctor said it could take up to a month!
I'll share my word of warnings, walk through your pantry, or turn the labels on your next visit and see how many places you'll find this awful dye. Make better selections for you and your families and hopefully you won't spend your days with oven mitts duck taped to your wrists to avoid tearing your skin off!! YUCK!
