For many years I’ve used hair grease on my daughters’, and my own, hair; and even on our bodies as a form of moisturizer. I actually like the results of using petroleum jelly, it makes my skin clear and smooth, plus my skin looks radiant in the sun.
The whole purpose of me putting the grease or petroleum jelly on our hair and scalp was to moisturize and keep flakes of dandruff from forming.
Boy was I wrong.
One of my daughters always has had really bad dandruff and seasonal eczema. This past winter my daughter went through her yearly eczema episode of scaly dry skin that needs extra care during those cold dry months. I usually use a hydrocortisone cream from her doctor, along with shea or cocoa butter, which clears it up no problem. But this year I decided I wanted to try something new.
What did I use? Aquaphor. No, this is not about bashing this particular company or brand, at all, but to bring awareness to an ingredient in their product. Petroleum.
So, I put the ointment on the areas that were inflamed and scaly. Days go by and I notice no improvement and the areas started to become bumpy and oozed clear liquid. I brought her to the doctor, and she was prescribed her usual hydrocortisone cream and immediately, next day, her skin was on the road to recovery. I have now learned to use the term ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
I’m not done, there’s more.
Remember the dandruff I mentioned earlier? Well, its always been really bad. I mean to the point that the flakes would be seen in her hair and her scalp would , at times, look white and dry, and it would itch like crazy especially if she got nervous or tired. I would try to remedy her itchy flaky scalp by applying hair grease. The more it itched the more I put. I have ruined many pillow cases trying to relieve my little girl’s scalp. My favorite was Blue Magic; I used every variety trying to find which would work best. I even tried their Indian Hemp, but her hair still would be flaky and itchy.
After our Aquaphor experience, I put two and two together.
My daughter is allergic to petroleum.
I immediately stopped using the grease and the dandruff subsided. No itching, no flaking, and it stayed this way for three days.
***Update: since June 1, 2015 when I originally started to compose this blog, my daughter’s dandruff and itching has not returned. I have been using virgin or organic coconut oil which works very well on her hair and scalp.***
These two incidents prompted me share this story, just in case there are other African American women,and men, who use petroleum based products and may experience the same symptoms.
Although petroleum allergies are not specific to any one race, I think, African Americans (like myself), because of the use of hair grease, may be experiencing symptoms on a larger scale than most people.
I always thought I was doing myself some good by slathering petroleum all over my body. What I was actually doing was coating my skin and not allowing my skin to breathe. I think my skin was soft because of the trapped sweat that would never make it through the petroleum. So, I think, the petroleum was like plastic wrap, leaving a nice soft skin after it’s washed away.
I think that’s a benefit, however, long term use of petroleum, or continuing to use petroleum not knowing one may have an allergy can be hazardous to one’s health.
Petroleum is in almost everything we use. From our hair care products to the containers that hold our foods. Although this may be hard to avoid, it is better to know the potential hazards and symptoms to be able to recognize why one may be experiencing discomfort from certain products, to be able to avoid them.
Knowledge is power.