Newsprint Ink Allergy

Newspaper ink is a minor annoyance to most people, at most prompting the need to wash their hands after handling the paper. For others, the substance used to make the ink commonly used on newsprint can cause allergies, usually affecting the eyes and skin.

Skin Allergies

• A reaction from newspaper ink could be an allergy to rosin. Rosin---the sticky sap that comes from pine and spruce trees---is used in many substances, including makeup, varnish and newspaper ink. Allergic reactions to rosin, known as colophony, can cause acute allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy skin condition.

Eye Allergies

• Newspaper ink can also irritate the eyelids. The Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society of Ontario found the eyelids have "very delicate and sensitive skin" that is "susceptible to many irritants and allergens," including newspaper ink, house dust mites and cosmetics.

Asthma

• Allergic reactions to rosin can also cause or aggravate asthma.

Prevention

• The best way to avoid an allergic reaction to newspaper ink is to avoid it. If you have allergic reactions to rosin, read the ingredient list on packaging before using a product to see if it contains rosin. Or use gloves or protective clothing. To avoid irritating your eyes after touching a newspaper, wash your hands immediately afterward with soup and warm water.

Treatment

• Dermatologists can treat contact dermatitis with creams, topical or oral steroids, topical or oral antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs.