Salicylate, Amine & other Food Intolerances

Food Guide (continued)
return to Food Guide part one - Contents, Fruits, Vegetables
& Beef, Chicken, Fish, Lamb & other meats

Dairy, Eggs & Soy Products
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
butter cream fresh cheeses (e.g. cream cheese, cottage cheese, marscapone and ricotta) fresh eggs ice cream (only a few, e.g. vanilla made with real vanilla essence or mango made with real mango - labels need to be read very carefully or make your own!) milk (cow, goat, rice and soy) rice milk (be sure to read the label for flavors and other additives) soy milk (be sure to read the label for flavors and other additives) soy products (natural only - some products are flavored, spiced or include other foods and chemicals - read labels carefully) tofu tofu ice cream yoghurt (unflavored)	(no foods identified)	mild cheese	sharp cheese (sometimes known as tasty cheese) miso soy sauce tempeh

Cereals & Grains
For other grains and flours see Baking Supplies
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
barley buckwheat millet rice rice cereals (plain) oats (all plain - oatmeal, porridge, rolled oats, etc) rye wheat	(no foods identified)	breakfast cereals that include fruit, nuts or coconut chocolate breakfast cereals corn/maize cereals (e.g. corn chex, cornflakes and crispix) cornmeal (also known as corn flour (U.S.) - a yellow, grainy meal/flour used to make corn bread and as a breakfast cereal) breakfast cereals coated in or incorporating honey flavored breakfast cereals (e.g. Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms) polenta (similar to cornmeal)	(no foods identified)

Seasonings & Sauces
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
chives garlic parsley (all varieties except chinese parsley also known as coriander) poppyseeds saffron salt (all plain salt, e.g. table, iodised table and sea) Australian shallot (known as green onions in USA - not the same as the Mediterranean shallot) vanilla essence (pure/real only - not imitation)	coriander (fresh) (also known as Chinese parsley) horseradish malt vinegar	allspice aniseed basil bayleaf canella (Caribbean variety) cardamon caraway cayenne pepper celery powder chervil chili flakes/powder cinnamon clove coriander (dry) (also known as Chinese parsley) cumin dill fenugreek five-spice garam masala ginger gravy (made from meat juice - gravies made from prepared mixes contain both salicylates and amines - stock cubes/boullion/meat extracts usually contain very high amounts of salicylates and amines) mace mint mixed herbs mixed spices mustard (all varieties, prepared or dried/powdered) nutmeg oregano paprika pepper (all varieties, e.g. black, cayenne, chili, pimento and white) pimento/pimiento (powder) rosemary sage tarragon tumeric Worchestershire sauce	curry prepared gravy and gravy mixes hydrolysed vegetable protein meat extracts (e.g. marmite and promite) oyster sauce pastes (e.g. fish, meat and tomato) prepared sauces and sauce mixes soy sauce soy paste stock/bouillon cubes and powders tabasco tandoori prepared tartar sauce (make your own!) thyme tomato paste tomato sauce vinegar (brown, cider, red, white and grape wine) yeast extracts (e.g. vegemite - yeast used in baking does not cause symptoms)

Oils & Fats
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
butter canola oil ghee margarine (only made from vegetable or canola oil) safflower oil sunflower oil	almond oil corn oil peanut oil	coconut oil copha olive oil sesame oil walnut oil	(no foods identified)

Baking & Dessert Supplies
See also Cereals & Grains
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
arrowroot corn starch (known as cornflour in Australia - a thickening agent for gravies, sauces, etc) golden syrup malt poppyseeds rice flour sago soy flour rye flour sugar tapioca wheat flour	(no foods identified)	flavored gelatine (known as jelly or jello in some countries - I have found a mango flavor that does not set off my intolernace) corn syrup sesame seeds	(no foods identified)

Jams, Spreads & Toppings
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
caramel (not artificial - check for inclusion of other ingredients) golden syrup maple syrup (natural only) sugar (brown, castor, granulated, icing, powdered)	cashew paste (made from lightly roasted cashews) mayonnaise molasses raw sugar treacle	apple butter (except homemade from acceptable varieties of apples) maple syrup (imitation)	honey jam/American jelly (all commercial flavors - make your own from acceptable fruits) meat extracts (e.g. marmite and promite) lemon butter yeast extracts (e.g. vegemite - yeast used in baking does not cause symptoms)

Snack Foods & Nuts
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
apple butter (only homemade from acceptable varieties of apples) caramel (candy, flavors and sauces - not artificial - check for inclusion of other ingredients) carob cashews (raw) malt extract maple syrup (not artificial) plain potato chips/crisps poppyseeds toffee (plain)	apple chips (only those made from acceptable varieties of apples - these are chips/crisps made from apples) plain corn chips plain taco shells white chocolate	brazil nuts cashews (roasted) coconut hazelnuts macadamia nuts peanuts pecans pinenuts pistachio nuts popcorn popping corn sesame seeds sunflower seeds walnuts	almonds cheese flavors chewing gum (all flavors) chocolate (all except white chocolate) cocoa fruit flavors fruit flavored candy, gelato, ices, icypoles, sherbet, sorbet, popcicles and sweets honey flavors licorice/liquorice (all flavors) mint/peppermint /wintergreen flavored candy/sweets pickles (and anything pickled) spicy flavors

Beverages
(consult color key)

Low	Moderate	High	Very High
alcohol (only gin, vodka and whisky) carob powder decaffeinated coffee (the decaffenination process used by most coffee companies removes a significant amount of the salicylate as well - a few companies do, however, use a different process) milk (unflavored - cow, goat and soy) Australian lemonade (e.g. Schweppes Clear, 7-Up and Sprite) soda water tonic water	fruit & vegetable juice (only those made from fruits found in an acceptable column of the fruit and/or vegetable guides above - very few commercial juices meet this criteria, many contain an unidentified variety of apple juice - why not make your own!) dry ginger ale (small quantities only)	coffee coffee substitutes fruit and vegetable juice (most commercial varieties) tea (decaffeinated and most herbal varieties) tea substitutes	alcohol (apple cider, beer, brandy, most liqueurs, port, rum, sherry, tokay and wine made from grapes or any fruit excluded by the guide) American lemonade birch beer chocolate drinks cocoa powder cola (all brands and varieties) fruit flavored drinks (including Australian/British cordial and Kool-Aid) ginger beer orange juice root beer tea (caffeinated and peppermint)

A Guide to Skin Care, Hair Care, Hygiene and Medicines

Anyone who has an allergy or sensitivity/intolernace should remember a few general rules:

always read labels/ingredients;
always ask cosmetics specialists, chemists/pharmicists and health care professionals if the elements/chemicals you are allergic or sensitive to are in the products they are recommending or prescribing; and
be cautious anytime you eat or use a product you haven't used before. Try only one new thing at a time.

Skin Care and Cosmetics

It is adviseable to use unscented cosemetics, soaps and lotions. Never use perfume.

Most skin care products and cosmetics contain fragrance. Some fragrances are higher in salicylates than others. Some have salicylates added to enhance the fragrance. As a general rule the stronger the fragrance the higher the level of salicylates. A limited number of products contain little or no salicylates. Allergy tested or allergy free is not a guarantee.

A wide range (but not all) of Clinique products, for example, contain no fragrance. I use many of their products with satisfactory results. Some of their products do, however, contain introduced salicylates or ingredients that are high in salicylates or amines. Remember, always read the label.

A few brands of cosemetics and skin care products come in a fragrance free or 'for sensitive skin' variety. It is still important to read the ingredients. These products sometimes contain menthol/menthyl, aloe vera, green tea or herbal extracts, all of which may contain salicylates.

Face and body soaps can be found in most supermarkets. In Australia, Dove make an acceptable fragrance free soap. Clinique has a range of satisfactory face soaps. By reading the labels you may find other soaps, e.g. oatmeal soaps, that contain no salicylate or amine harboring ingredients.

On a recent trip to the USA (2001) I discovered Oil of Olay have an 'unscented' soap. I was saddened to find that the ingredients list included fragrance. The fragrance was offensive to my nose and it did make me itch slightly.

Hand and body lotions are more difficult. Ask your chemist/pharmicist or cosmetic specialist about plain, unscented lotions, which do not contain herbal ingredients. Australian sorbolene is a good, inexpensive option, but I've not been able to find it in North America or other parts of the world. It must be the plain variety - some sorbolene contains added tea tree oil, aloe vera and other extracts which introduce salicylates and/or amines. I have am also able to use Clinique's dramatically different moisturizing lotion.

Hair Care

As with skin care it is important to use fragrance free products on your hair. Unfortunately, I've only found one suitable fragrance free shampoo, Langé Panthenol Formula II. Other companies advertise fragrance free products. So far all of the ones I have discovered include the natural fragrances and plant extracts making them unsuitable. Before I was diagnosed with salicylate intolerance I once tried a brazil nut conditioner which had very little fragrance and was strongly recommended as exceptionally gentle. It did not create a physical rash or burn, but I experienced a sensation as though acid had been poured on my head. Low fragrance, non-natural products can be used by many with a salicylate and/or amine intolerance.

I use conditioner, hair spray and gel sparingly and only occasionally, as I have not found any that are fragrance and plant extract free. If you know of any other suitable products please contact me.

Hygiene

Try to avoid flavors and scents and always read labels.

Toothpaste is often flavored with mint, which is high in salicylate. Some contain other, usually artificial, flavors. These are usually lower in salicylate than the mint flavored varieties. There is a very limited range of unflavored toothpastes. I have found only two, Soul Pattinson Plain Toothpaste and Floran HA Flouride Toothpaste. If your chemist/pharmacist cannot obtain an unflavored toothpaste for you, find one with as light a smell/taste as possible, rinse very well after brushing and try not to swallow any toothpaste. Another alternative is to brush your teeth with baking soda, salt or a combination of the two.

Facial Tissues and Toilet Paper can now be purchased in unscented varieties. Avoid tissues that are heavily scented or impregnated with aloe vera, eucalyptus and other oils.

Feminine hygiene products are usually scented. Intensity of scent varies even within the same brand from country to country. You may need to try a few different brands before you find one that doesn't trigger your intolerance.

Soul Pattinson Toothpaste
is now available outside of Australia!!

To order online go to
Soul Pattison Chatswood Chase
click on the
Shopping tab
then select
Miscellaneous
and add
Soul Pattinson Toothpaste Flouride Plain 110g
to your shopping cart.

Medicines

Always ask your health care practitioner if the medicines/remidies they are prescribing contain salicylates or amines. If they don't know, ask them to find out before issuing it to you. It can truly be a case of the cure being worse than the disease!

There are some general rules you can apply yourself.

Many medications contain aspirin, which taken in normal quantities is a huge does of the salicylate acetyl-salicylic acid. Never take aspirin and, as always, read labels. Be aware that many salicylate intolerant people also react to codeine and ibuprofen even those these products do not contain salicylates.

All flavored medicines/remedies should be avoided, including cough syrups and drops/lozenges.

Any product containg eucalyptus oil, camphor, menthol, oil of wintergreen or peppermint oil is very high in salicylates. Most heat and muscle rubs contain at least one of these ingredients. Some contain ibuprofen. Heat pads and hot water bottles are the best alternative. Avoid any heat pad containing herbs. Plain rice packs heatable in the microwave are a great alternative.

Not all products ending in 'amine' are amines. Not all amines have names that end in 'amine'. Always ask your health care practitioner or chemist/pharmacist. If they are unsure try the product with caution. Some manufacturers can be contacted via their web sites for more information.

Many products promoted for reducing itching and other reactions to insect/spider bites/stings create further irritation in chemically intolerant people, even products that do not contain salicylates or amines. Ice for the itching and swelling and a little patience is the only answer I've found.

Herbal remedies may or may not contain salicylates and amines. There doesn't seem to have been any testing and classification on these products. Many have easily identifiable salicylate and amine ridden ingredients. It is possible, however, that processing may decrease or remove the salicylates and amines. It is always wise to try only one new thing at a time. This will make it easier to discover if (1) the product works for you and (2) whether or not it creates an intolerance response.

If you have an comments or suggestions
concerning this page
or questions about food/chemical intolerance

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Updated September 2003

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