What is it?
Myroxylon Pereirae Resin (Balsam of Peru) is a natural mixture of resins and essentials oils. A positive patch test is an indication of allergy to fragrances and flavors.

How can I avoid it?
A positive patch test response to Myroxylon Pereirae Resin (Balsam of Peru) strongly suggests a fragrance and/or a spice allergy. You need to use fragrance-free skin care and household products. Foods and oral care products may also contain Myroxylon Pereirae Resin (Balsam of Peru).

Direct contact with foods or products containing Balsam of Peru may cause symptoms including burning, irritation and redness. Direct contact may occur on the skin, lips or mouth. It is possible, but rare, that ingestion of this substance could cause generalized symptoms such as itching or redness of the skin.

Skin contact with Myroxylon Pereirae Resin is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing Myroxylon Pereirae Resin should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your
skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or call the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.

Uses:
• Balsams of pine and spruce
• Cleansing cloths, including baby wipes
• Flowers
• Skin care products/Cosmetics
  • Antiperspirants/Deodorants
  • Hair sprays, gels, tonics, and lotions
  • Hair colorants/“Permanents-relaxers”
  • Soaps/Cleansers
  • Shampoos/Conditioners
  • Moisturizers
  • Make-up
  • Powders/Sprays
  • Sunscreens
  • Lip preparations
  • Toothpastes
  • Wound healing ointments
  • Dental cements
  • Tiger balm
• Medications (prescription and over the counter) such as
  • Anesthetics
  • Antiseptics
  • Creams, ointments, solutions
  • Foot and other powders
  • Nasal decongestants
  • Traditional Chinese medications
  • Hemorrhoidal suppositories and ointment
  • Surgical dressings
  • Dental cement
  • Cough medicine, lozenges
  • Anti-itch preparations (Calamine, etc.)
  • Tincture of benzoin
• Fragrances: Perfumes/Colognes/After-shaves/Toilet water
• Household products
  • Cleaning products/Soaps/Detergents (A preferred
  • household cleaner for fragrance allergic individuals
  • is dilute white vinegar.)
  • Furniture polish
  • Laundry care (detergent, softeners)
• Paints
• Veterinary use for slow healing wounds, dog mange, ear mites
• Insect repellents
• Flavorings
  • Citrus fruit peel
  • Artificially baked goods
  • Cola and other soft drinks
  • Aperitifs and other flavored drinks
  • Spices – cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg,
  • paprika, curry
  • Perfumed tea, coffee, and tobacco
Myroxylon Pereirae Resin (Balsam of Peru)

Other names for Myroxylon Pereirae Resin (Balsam of Peru):
• Balsam of Peru
• Balsamum
• Black balsam
• China oil
• Honduras balsam
• Indian balsam
• MP
• Peruvianum
• Peruvian balsam
• Surinam balsa
• Balsam oil

Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
• Balsam of Tolu
• Benzoic acid
• Benzoin
• Benzoyl benzoate
• Benzyl acetate
• Benzyl alcohol
• Benzyl salicylate
• Benzyl cinnamate
• Cinnamic acid
• Cinnamic alcohol/Cinnamic aldehyde
• Cinnamon oil
• Clove oil
• Colophony (Rosin)
• Diethylstilbestrol
• Essential oils of orange peel
• Eugenol
• Isoeugenol
• Methyl cinnamate
• Nerolidol
• Propolis
• Stonax
• Tolu Balsam
• Vanillin

If your eczema is generalized, affecting the lip, mouth, or around the mouth, please see Balsam of Peru diet flyer (MCS7562-064) and consider avoiding the following products that may contain Balsam of Peru. Read the labels to be sure.

• Cough mixtures
• Throat tablets and lozenges
• Oral care products including toothpaste/Mouthwash
• Tincture of Benzoin

How safe is it?

Hang tight. We're thinking.