Man allergic to wife's cosmetics

Darren Young has broken out in a rash after hugging his wife

A South Yorkshire man has spoken of his rare allergy which can trigger reactions when he comes into contact with his wife's beauty products.

Darren Young is allergic to polythene glycol, a product found in many cosmetics and foods.

Mr Young, 45, a bus driver from Doncaster, has suffered allergic reactions after hugging his wife Sue.

He also had a serious reaction to a steroid injection which led to him having to be resuscitated.

After tests at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield doctors discovered Mr Young is allergic to many creams, lotions, shampoos, shower gels and aftershaves, as well as some medication and wound dressings.

Mrs Young now has to check the ingredients in any beauty products before buying them.

'Struggling to breathe'

The seriousness of her husband's allergy came to light when he had an injection at the hospital for a foot complaint.

He said: "After the injection of steroid into the heel of my foot, my head, neck and throat started to tingle within seconds.

"Then my eyes began to swell, my vision started blurring and by this time I was struggling to breathe."

Mr Young said one one occasion after hugging his wife his skin broke out in white bumps.

"It was like a nettle rash, but a lot more severe," he said.

He now carries a prescribed pen and spray to help him if he suffers a reaction.

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Sue Turner describes how she has to be vigilant while shopping for beauty products