A chemical found in everyday cosmetics and household cleaning products may be responsible for an “epidemic” of painful skin allergies, doctors have warned.
The preservative – known as MI – is used in a wide range of shampoos, moisturisers and shower gels as well as make-up and baby wipes.
But dermatologists warn people are being exposed to much higher doses than before, leading to a steep rise in allergies known as contact dermatitis where the skin becomes red and itchy and can sting and blister.
Experts say the chemical is second only to nickel in causing contact allergies. One in 12 adults and one in five children in the UK now have eczema, of which contact dermatitis is one of the most common types.
MI, which is short for methylisothiazolinone, is a preservative which is also found in paint. It is added to products to prevent unwanted growth of bacteria and yeasts.
Well-known products that contain MI found on sale in shops included Nivea body lotion, Wet Ones and Boots men's face wash.
