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Allergic to Nut - Need Help

(edit: I've changed the name of the title to better reflect the subject in case someone else has a similar need of info. this way they can find it more readily)

Hey All,

So I just got a questionnaire from my couple that I have booked for tomorrow. Lo and behold I have my first "allergic to nuts" client and am realizing all my products have some form of nut in them (almond oil mostly). Can anyone suggest a good lubricant that can be bought at a major chain type store, that would be nut free?

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Jansen on March 1, 2010 at 6:11pm

Grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter...

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 1, 2010 at 6:31pm

actually...i believe shea butter is from a nut.

Kimberly Jansen said:

Grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter...

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Permalink Reply by Harry Banek on March 1, 2010 at 7:37pm

Yes, shea butter is from the nut of the shea tree which grows primarily in western Africa. The shea butter is hypoallergenic and the nuts of the shea are not like the nuts to which people are often allergic (peanuts which are actually a legume, walnuts, and other north american tree nuts). I have been using shea butter exclusively for my bodywork and reflexology sessions and have had positive comments about using it from my clients. I will also repeat that I had a classmate who was allergic to coconut and palm oils and their derivatives. So I always check on allergies as part of initial intake.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 1, 2010 at 8:22pm

thanks for the great info Harry. I didn't know that about shea. So I'm gathering then that when you DO have a client allergic to "nut"...you've been able to use shea butter with no problems?

Harry Banek said:

Yes, shea butter is from the nut of the shea tree which grows primarily in western Africa. The shea butter is hypoallergenic and the nuts of the shea are not like the nuts to which people are often allergic (peanuts which are actually a legume, walnuts, and other north american tree nuts). I have been using shea butter exclusively for my bodywork and reflexology sessions and have had positive comments about using it from my clients. I will also repeat that I had a classmate who was allergic to coconut and palm oils and their derivatives. So I always check on allergies as part of initial intake.

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Permalink Reply by Harry Banek on March 1, 2010 at 8:47pm

Lisa,

So far I have not had any clients with any allergies that would be related to the use of a lubricant. I always mention that I am using shea butter and many have used a product with shea butter in it or have used a shea butter cream for their skin. No one had used a natural, unrefined shea butter like what I use in my sessions.

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Permalink Reply by Valerie Haun on March 11, 2010 at 7:17pm

Biotone does contain nut oils! I was also under the mistaken impression they didn't. Found out the hard way today when a nut sensitive client had some facial swelling. First time this has happened in my 6 years of practice. I feel terrible about it and wondering why I didn't bother to check before! Biotone does have a line of hypo-allergenic products, but most of the normal stuff does have nut oils. Argh. Learn from my mistake, always check ingredients.

Marilyn St.John said:

There didn't seem to be any nutty ingredients in either of those products, Lisa. I usually use lotions, too, and I don't think Biotone contains nut oils either, but read carefully if you consider it, just in case. (My jug is at work or I'd check for you.)

I have used grapeseed oil before, and it tends to become sticky over time and stains the sheets if you use it frequently. It has astringent properties that some people might not like. Sesame oil, which I love, is light and great for the skin on a cellular level. You have to boil it for 15 minutes or so in order to avoid smelling like a stir-fry, but it's great stuff even though it also has a tendency to stain the sheets. Careful with keeping any quantity of oil around, they eventually turn rancid.