Prevent Allergy Reaction To Your Skin
At some point of your life, you might have had a reaction to a skincare product somewhere on your face or body, regardless if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Recognizing the offending product that trigger the problem and discontinuing its use is enough to improve the appearance of skin within a day or two. For others, even after you've stopped using that product(s), your skin can remain irritated for days or even months. Here are a few simple things you can do to help or minimize your skin from any irritations.
Recognize that you have an allergy or sensitizing reaction to a product and not a skin disorder. Many skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, folliculitis and reactions to food cause irritated, swollen, red, itchy, flaky or rashy skin. If you need help in identifying the problem, visit www.Medscape.com.
Find what product(s) or ingredient(s) are causing the problem and stop using them. If you started using a new product like moisturizer, and within a few hours your face or body became red, itchy, and swollen, it is obvious that you are having an allergy or sensitizing reaction to that product. This is an easy way to identifying the problem. However, things are not as easy as it seems to be because many skin reactions don't happen quickly. It can take anywhere between several weeks or even months and years after you've been using a product before your skin has a negative reaction to it.
Furthermore, pinning down the offending ingredient or product that is causing the problem can be a challenge. Just imagine the number of products we use daily that range from cleansers to exfoliant to sunscreen and moisturizer. To make things even more complex, it may not be a single product but the combination of products that caused the problem, i.e. the moisturizer isn't the problem, but the combination of toner, moisturizer and sunscreen that caused the reaction. The objective is to be patient and diligence, experimenting with the product or products you suspect and then see how your skin responds when you discontinue use.
Whether or not you've been able to identify the problem product, an over-the-counter cortisone cream can be your savior. Cortisone creams work as anti-inflammatories and when you apply these to irritated, inflamed skin they can turn off the reaction that is causing the problem. Once the skin irritation shows up, apply the cortisone cream over the affected area for several days, even after everything seems back to normal. Remember that the skin can hold on to a sensitizing or allergic reaction for a long period of time. And don't be afraid about the short-term use of cortisone creams. It is the long-term (more than two or three months of consistent use) usage of such creams that can damage collagen and elastin in the skin.
While you are combating the allergic or sensitizing reaction, avoid any other skin irritants of any kind over the affected area. Fragrances, scrubs, washcloths, AHAs, Retin-A, Renova, benzoyl peroxide, skin lighteners or other skincare products with active ingredients can trigger irritation and only add to the problem.
Keep away from saunas, steam, sweating (if possible) or rubbing the affected area, all of which can help re-trigger the reaction. If matters aren't improving after four to six weeks, you should seek professional help. See your dermatologist for an evaluation.
If you suspect that you are having a serious allergic reaction like hives, extremely swollen skin and eyes or red patches over the skin that feel warm or tingle, consult with your dermatologist to discuss the option of taking an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl to stop the condition.
Whether or not you've been able to identify the problem product, an over-the-counter cortisone cream can be your savior. Cortisone creams work as anti-inflammatories and when you apply these to irritated, inflamed skin they can turn off the reaction that is causing the problem. Once the skin irritation shows up, apply the cortisone cream over the affected area for several days, even after everything seems back to normal. Remember that the skin can hold on to a sensitizing or allergic reaction for a long period of time. And don't be afraid about the short-term use of cortisone creams. It is the long-term (more than two or three months of consistent use) usage of such creams that can damage collagen and elastin in the skin.
While you are combating the allergic or sensitizing reaction, avoid any other skin irritants of any kind over the affected area. Fragrances, scrubs, washcloths, AHAs, Retin-A, Renova, benzoyl peroxide, skin lighteners or other skincare products with active ingredients can trigger irritation and only add to the problem.
Keep away from saunas, steam, sweating (if possible) or rubbing the affected area, all of which can help re-trigger the reaction. If matters aren't improving after four to six weeks, you should seek professional help. See your dermatologist for an evaluation.
If you suspect that you are having a serious allergic reaction like hives, extremely swollen skin and eyes or red patches over the skin that feel warm or tingle, consult with your dermatologist to discuss the option of taking an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl to stop the condition.
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