Read all about hypoallergenic

Bamboi’s bamboo toilet paper is completely free of added chemicals and therefore suitable for sensitive skin.

If someone suffers from an allergy, it is wise to look for products labeled “hypoallergenic” to avoid an allergic reaction. Hypoallergenic means that a product contains few substances that cause allergies, called allergens. But because there is no generally accepted scientific or legal definition of the term, the word hypoallergenic on a label does not always protect it.

There are many different products that are described as hypoallergenic. Vendors of products such as cosmetics, toys, clothing, utensils and even pets can label a product as hypoallergenic without having to meet a government-mandated standard. So it makes sense that hypoallergenic has different connotations for each product.
Bamboo toilet paper has many advantages. Bamboo can be grown without pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals. This is due to the natural antibacterial property of bamboo Kun, which protects the bamboo plant during growth and when making the paper fibers. Bambooi toilet paper consists of 100% organic, unbleached rolls. As a result, Bambooi is free of added chemicals and the toilet paper can be labeled hypoallergenic. Bamboo toilet paper from Bamboi is very suitable for sensitive skin. Also read where Bamboi is produced.

What is hypoallergenic?

Hypo means less in Latin. An allergen is a substance that triggers allergic reactions in humans. So hypoallergenic means that there are fewer substances in a product to which a person can react allergically. Hypoallergenic products contain ingredients that minimize the chance of an allergic reaction.

Hypoallergenic meaning

But what exactly does hypoallergenic mean? It varies by product. In fact, there is no generally accepted scientific or legal definition of the term hypoallergenic. This means that even though the label says hypoallergenic it does not immediately protect against an allergic reaction. Vendors of cosmetics, toys, clothing and even pets can be labeled “hypoallergenic” without having to meet a government-mandated standard.

There are many different types of allergens in nature: pollen, dust mites, animal hair, insect bites and various foods. All of these substances can cause an allergic reaction that in some cases can even be life-threatening. A mild allergic reaction can also cause itching, runny nose, sneezing and headaches. An allergic skin reaction can be recognized by an itchy red rash. In a severe allergic reaction, the body can go into a state of anaphylactic shock.

Usually, anaphylactic shock begins as a mild allergic reaction, such as with itching. Within half an hour, additional symptoms occur, such as swollen lips, wheezing, fainting, vomiting, low blood pressure. Anaphylactic shock is a serious reaction. When the above symptoms occur, an ambulance should be called as soon as possible.

Tightening the rules of hypoallergenic

The term hypoallergenic is not legally defined and is therefore free to use. However, since 2019, the rules regarding hypoallergenic products have been tightened. Officially, it is only allowed to use the word hypoallergenic on products if a company can prove that the product contains only ingredients proven to pose a very small risk of an allergic reaction. Of course, this varies by product and can therefore be difficult to define. But hypoallergenic does not mean, for now, that there is no risk of allergic reaction at all.

The question, however, is whether all brands are aware of the tightened rules. It is therefore desirable not to blindly rely on this claim, and to check the ingredients of the products on the packaging. When checking the ingredient list, it may be helpful to know that ingredients are not always listed in common language. In the case of chemicals, scientific names are common. With natural substances, the manufacturer often uses the Latin names of the herbs given. As mentioned above, Bambooi toilet paper consists of completely organic unbleached paper and can therefore be labeled as free of added chemicals and hypoallergenic.

Hypoallergenic and bamboo

In general, the bamboo plant is known to be naturally antibacterial. A 2012 study from the Journal of the Textile Institute found that Australian-grown Moso bamboo(phyllostachys pubescens) contains natural antibacterial compounds in the plant’s lignin. Lignin is a class of complex organic polymers present in the cell walls of many plants making them rigid, woody and rot-resistant. In the case of bamboo, the lignin is responsible for protecting the bamboo plant from weather and external damage. They also serve as storage for bamboo’s antibacterial compounds.

Another study from Japan also found that bamboo shoots can be used as an antibacterial material. It was found that extracts from the skin of bamboo shoots inhibited the growth of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . This would mean that in the future it might be possible to make antibiotics extracted from bamboo. Besides bamboo, other plants with natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties include apple, chamomile, clove, garlic, hemp, onion and turmeric.

The natural antibacterial property of bamboo is commonly called Kun or bamboo Kun . There is no Dutch translation for this word yet. Bamboo Kun is responsible for bamboo’s natural ability to repel most bacteria, fungi, insects and pests. Bamboo Kun is why bamboo can reproduce in nature even without pesticides and herbicides. This is in contrast to other industrial crops such as cotton and corn, which require good maintenance, fertilizers and pesticides to grow. So using bamboo to make products is indeed better for the climate. This is one reason why bamboo is organic and environmentally friendly and considered a more sustainable crop.

Is Bambooi hypoallergenic?

Although it is a broad, unprotected term, hypoallergenic generally means that there are fewer substances in a product to which a person can react allergically. Because there are many different types of products that can be labeled hypoallergenic, it is difficult to determine when something can truly bear the title hypoallergenic. Because there is such a wide range of hypoallergenic products, it also varies from product to product when something is hypoallergenic. Bamboo toilet paper from Bamboo is soft and completely free of added chemicals. Bambooi toilet paper is therefore suitable for sensitive skin. From this it can be concluded that bamboo is indeed hypoallergenic. Buy our bamboo toilet paper in the Bamboo shop.