May

13

A Cosmetic Allergy Nightmare!

Filed Under Cosmetic Allergy | Leave a Comment

It must be your worst nightmare!  To have a cosmetic allergy means that not only are you not able to bring out the best in your facial appearance, but also having to deal with an inflammation of your skin.  It is true.  A cosmetic allergy can result in pain and irriation, causing you to look really unattractive.

Your doctor may likely explain to you what you are experiencing is a medical term known as contact dermatitis. It simply means that you are having an acute allergic inflammation of the skin caused by contact with an ingredient or substance that you have a reaction to. These substances can be chemical, animal, or vegetable from nature. Cosmetics from make-up, make-up removers, mascaras, and eye creams are common products that cause contact dermatitis.

In fact, cosmetic allergic reactions can be triggered not just from make up products but also from many skin and hair care ones such as moisturizers, shampoos, deodorants, colognes and other daily grooming aids.  If the product in question is causing a reaction, it is in your best interest to discontinue using it.

The ingredients in the products such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives cause the irritation or allergic reaction from cosmetics. These ingredients can act as antigens, which are substances that trigger an allergic reaction.

If you are allergic to a cosmetic product you may experience symptoms such as redness, itching or swelling of your skin or eyes when you come into contact with the cosmetic.

There are two basic reactions that you can have to a cosmetic: irritant contact dermatitis and an allergic contact dermatitis. The contact dermatitis is when the skin becomes red, itch or swell. This happens when the cosmetic comes into direct contact with your skin.  Other allergic contact dermatitis symptoms include hive-like breakouts, and can occur on the skin of the face, neck, lips, ears, and even your eyes.

An irritant contact dermatitis is common and can occur at anytime for anyone. The irritation usually starts when the contact is made to the skin and causes skin damage that starts out as patchy, itchy, scaly skin. It may be a red rash that can develop into blisters. The skin may be dry, crack or swell. A reaction may occur within minutes of the contact or it may take days or even weeks for the reaction to occur after the exposure.

Irritant contact dermatitis is described as a response to harsh substances; usually chemicals that cause skin injury to the outer layer of skin.

Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune system reaction to a specific substance in the cosmetic. The immune system views the the ingredient found in the cosmetic as a foreign invader, harming the body.

Mostly, reactions are mild.  Severe symptoms are rare but can also happen.  Findings have shown that as much as 10% of the population has had some kind of reaction to a cosmetic product during a lifetime.  Since women tend to use more of such products, they are more at risk as compared to men.