More and more people are suffering from allergies. And this is well known. But why itching and redness are increasingly taking hold has not yet been fully explained.
Under accusation, among others, there are also cosmetics. Products that, by definition, should not contain substances that interact with our body. But this is not always the case. Perfumes, preservatives or excipients present in creams & co. can act as allergens, molecules capable of stimulating an allergic reaction.
If you consider that, according to a study by the American Academy of Dermatology, every day, on average, adults use about seven different cosmetics, from perfume to anti-wrinkle cream, it is immediately clear how high the risk of encountering the wrong ingredient is.
Allergic dermatitis: let’s get to know it
Allergy is an abnormal response of the body’s defense system against substances present in the environment, called allergens. This reaction, however, does not concern everyone, but only those who have a predisposition to suffer from it. Thus, in the face of a harmless substance, such as a preservative or a perfume, the body’s defense system of predisposed subjects classifies it from the first contact as “very dangerous” and produces an excessive number of antibodies ready to react if it is exposed again to the offending substance, namely the allergen.
In allergic subjects, compared to subjects who are not, there is in fact an increase in type E antibodies (IgE) which, interacting with allergens, cause the body to activate numerous cells, such as mast cells, which in turn stimulate the release of inflammatory substances such as histamine. The result of this complicated process, which develops in a cascade, is the manifestation of different symptoms that, in the case of allergic dermatitis, affect the skin in particular.
This is how they look like this.
How do you recognize an allergy to cosmetics? The typical manifestation is called allergic contact dermatitis. It involves the formation of small vesicles, redness, itching and peeling.
In theory, allergic reactions can develop in any part of the body, but in practice the most affected areas are the face, lips, eye contour, ears and neck.
To vary, even a lot, is above all the time with which the symptoms manifest themselves. In some cases we are talking about a few hours. Other times it takes days before the first spot appears. Then there are people who develop the allergy only after years and years of using that specific product.
In the dock…
Among the most dangerous ingredients of cosmetics, from an allergic point of view, there is nickel, a very allergenic metal. It is present in eyeshadows and eyeliners, but also in creams and skin products such as cleansers, as a contaminant.
Perfumed, natural and synthetic substances, preservatives such as formaldehyde, Kathon CG and paraphenylenediamine found in hair dyes, for example, are not always innocent.
Some tricks to prevent them
Those who are already sensitive to some cosmetics should avoid changing products often so as not to increase the number of contacts with potentially allergenic components. And, in any case, before using a new one you should spread a drop on the crook of the elbow, or on the inside of the wrist, and wait a couple of days. If nothing happens, and not even redness appears, the cosmetic is safe.
However, it is good to remember that allergic dermatitis is chronic and as such must be addressed. For this reason, it is best to seek the advice of the specialist before buying face and body creams and makeup in general. In principle, however, when choosing make-up, it would be better to focus on quality, rather than on low price. The rule that applies to everyone, then, is to prefer specific products for those suffering from skin allergy, since they do not contain perfumes and substances that can cause irritation. Another indication is to prefer, in case of doubt, shampoo, shower gel and body oil that are part of the lines for babies and young children, because they are specific for delicate and highly sensitive skin.
It should always be emphasized, finally, that it is necessary to pay attention to what you buy. This means reading product labels well. It is in fact the only way to avoid buying cosmetics that appear safe, but that “hide” a substance at risk among the ingredients.
Caution must be maximum even when exposing yourself to the sun, especially in summer, because the sun’s rays can cause allergy in the presence of particular substances, such as nickel contained in some perfumes or creams. This form of allergy is manifested by small red boils, in relief, which cause itching and sometimes a burning sensation and a feeling of discomfort. If these symptoms appear, you must first understand what triggered the problem and take a shower as soon as possible in order to eliminate the product from the body. It is also good to avoid sunlight for a couple of days, to give the skin time to eliminate the inflammatory state.
What do I do if a stain pops up?
Usually no real treatment is necessary as allergic spots disappear by themselves in a short time. However, for this to happen, you must first stop using any cosmetic until the stain, redness or itching disappears. After that you can resume using them, but one at a time. In this way you can discover the offending product.
To calm the itching, however, cold compresses can be applied to the skin. Attention also to clothing, if the patches are on the body: in contact with the skin should be used only cotton clothes and linen, as it is the only fabric that does not increase inflammation on the skin. However, avoid too loose clothes, because moving around the body can increase the itching caused by dermatitis. The advice to use cotton fabrics should also be followed in the case of sheets and towels.
Who can I contact?
If you suspect that you suffer from allergic contact dermatitis, you should not waste time. Instead, it is good to consult a specialist in allergology or dermatology.
While waiting for the day of the visit it is useful to keep a diary in which to note when and how the patches on the skin manifest themselves. This information, along with information about any family history, will be helpful in helping your doctor make a more complete diagnosis.
To be really sure that the allergy is caused by cosmetics and nothing else, you must undergo a specific test, called patch test. It is performed by the dermatologist, who proceeds to apply patches containing specific allergens to the skin of the back. The patches should be kept for 2 days as contact allergies that cause dermatitis do not give immediate symptoms. The “reading” of the test, by the specialist, can be done after 3-4 days after application.
Another test used is the Prick test: the doctor deposits on the skin of the inner part of the forearm a few drops of a solution containing the “offending” allergen and waits for about 15 minutes: if an inflammatory reaction occurs with the appearance of symptoms of dermatitis, it means that you are allergic to that particular substance.
Finally, when the specialist remains suspicious of an allergy even if the previous tests have been negative, the Rast test is prescribed. A few drops of blood are put in contact with the substances suspected of causing allergy and then analyzed. If it turns out the presence of specific IgE antibodies there are no more doubts about the positive diagnosis of allergy.
Watch out for your eyes!
There is also a form of allergy that affects the eyes: eyelid dermatitis. It is manifested by a rash in the area surrounding the eye, with edema (i.e. accumulation of fluid) at the level of the eyelid and slight watery discharge. Also in this case cosmetics can be guilty and in particular some substances such as nickel, dyes, chromium, copper, cobalt. The main symptoms are:
- itching (especially in the eye areas)
- lachrymation
- burning
- irritation
- oedema
- redness of the conjunctiva
- sensation of dry eyelashes and with crusts
- sensitivity to light.
In case of eyelid dermatitis, it is necessary to make compresses with cold water on the eyes and in the periocular area and, if present, remove the contact lenses immediately. Be careful to wash your hands well before touching your eyes, to avoid bacterial contamination with bacteria present on your hands. No instead to do-it-yourself compresses with medicinal plants, or to the application of an eyelid cream. Instead, it is essential to talk about it immediately with your doctor, in order to perform allergy tests if necessary to identify the triggering substance and to exclude other diseases such as conjunctivitis.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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