In our daily lives, we make use of leather products. Our bags, shoes, and belts are all made of leather. Leather is a product one cannot simply do without. Even our sofas are made of leather, as well as our car seats. We are constantly exposed to leather products.
Leather is a primary product of export in several countries. The respective Government makes much revenue by selling leather products outside its borders.
Leather allergy is not on account of the leather but is caused due to the chrome present in it. Chromium is often used in the tanning process. Several of the leather products contain chrome. Leather allergy results in contact dermatitis.
Chromium products are used in construction materials. Several well-known car companies, such as Volvo, avoid chromium in their leather seats. The amount of chromium used by companies in various leather products varies from company to company. Those who suffer from chromium allergy cannot use such leather products which contain chromium. They have to avoid such products.
Symptoms of leather allergy
Some of the top leather allergy symptoms are:
- Rash.
- Redness.
- Blisters.
- Itchiness.
- Hives.
Causes of Leather Allergy
Primary products that cause leather allergy are:
- Adhesives.
- Rubber chemicals.
- Preservatives.
- Chromium
Prevention of leather allergy?
- One must use chrome-free leather products.
- In case any footwear is causing an allergy, one must avoid using it.
- One can switch over to some other products, thus avoiding leather products.
- One must check with one’s allergist if one suffers from chromium allergy.
Tests for leather allergy
Skin prick and blood tests are conducted to detect leather allergy. An allergist carries out such tests and sees if one is allergic to chromium.
Leather is a precious product used to produce many daily products. Yet some are allergic to it and cannot use such products.
Leather Allergy FAQ
How do I know if I’m allergic to leather?
Leather allergies are one of the most common forms of allergic contact dermatitis and can be caused by any leather product. Symptoms may include redness, itchiness, and swelling. Identifying which products you are sensitive to and avoiding them altogether is essential. If that isn’t possible, then try using a milder form of the product (like sheepskin) or using it in limited areas only. And lastly, take allergy medication as prescribed if necessary.
Can you be allergic to leather gloves?
It is possible to be allergic to leather gloves. This is because leather contains a protein called allergen-binding globulin (ABG), which can cause an immune reaction in some people. Therefore, if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, hives, or other symptoms after wearing these gloves, it might be best to avoid them and try another type of glove instead.
How do you treat leather allergies?
If you are experiencing leather allergies, the first step is identifying the allergen. This can be done by asking a few questions about your symptoms and then doing an elimination trial. You may need to do a patch test if it’s unclear which item causes your allergic reaction. After identifying the allergen, you can start treatment with various over-the-counter or prescription medications containing antihistamines or corticosteroids. In some cases, epinephrine (adrenaline) injections may also be necessary for people with severe reactions to break out in hives immediately after exposure to the offending material.
8 Comments
I bought an expensive Mercedez car with a beautiful leather car seats. I have serious allergy with the leather seats. I have rashes and serious itchy almost everyday. And I wander there is any way to prevent the rashes and itchy. And how to prevent the rashes and itchy if I keep continue use the car.
i have this chromate alergy and i’m unable to wear a wrist watch made of leather neither can i wear a belt. where can i buy a leather belt made without chromate?
I will not be tackling the leather seats issue since I have no idea how much (or where,) to get a car reupholstered. Apologies. The leather-wear is, however, a different story.
Leather belts that are vegetable-tanned contain no chromium and can be purchased on many leather sites under specific sub-categories. I would not recommend buying a vegetab;e tanned belt since most are extremely expensive since they use vegetable oil instead of the more common chemically rich tanning oils. However, if you are at all handy, or arts & crafts inclined, I recommend making your own belt from vegetable tanned leather from theleatherguy.com, waterhouseleather.com, or buckskinleather.com. They all sell large quantities of leather, but on average, for a small project, prices will usually range from $6.99 to $9.99 per square foot. For a small project, it will probably be necessary to buy a few square foot or see if the have stripes for sale, which I believe Waterhouse Leather has in stock. Buckles are cheap, as are and sort of rivets, buttons, etcetera, that will hold the buckle on and the belt together. Since the allergy may not be soley due to chromium, but nickel as well since nearly one ot of five Americans are allergic to both chromium and nickel, make sure you get a steel or some other metal that does not contain nickel. It is really quite easy. Making a belt or wristband, or any other piece of leather apparel is actually fairly simple. I have made a few belts that I have sold and have had no complaints as per quality or durability. Best of luck.
Generally people wear belts OVER trousers, how on earth is your belt even in contact with skin? :/
It’s called having a gut mate
I think leather need not be in direct contact with skin to make allergy.My wallet in my pocket cause allergy on my skin.But there is cloth in between.
WHEN I SIT ON MY EXXPENSIVE LEATHER 3 PIECE SUIT I FEEL THE SMELL GIVES ME A MUCUS ALLERGY?
Have a few food alergies, not serious just annoying. When we bought our first leather chair, i started to sneeze and have a runny nose. Any suggustions?