Allergy to cosmetics

Allergic reactions connected with using cosmetics and their widespread occurrence become a serious problem nowadays. Cosmetics, as all civilization achievements, brought about many good things but also showed their negative side. Presently it is estimated that allergy to cosmetic products concerns at least some 10% population.

Allergy symptoms usually concern the most sensitive parts of face such as the skin of upper and lower eyelids, skin around the lips and armpits as well.

The first symptom of an allergy to a cream applied on a face is the burning sensation of the eyelids, small swelling of the area and tearing. Usually more serious changes of the whole face appear only after several days of use.

People suffering from allergy do not associate it with a given product, most often used for a prolonged period. It happens so because the skin reaction doesn’t occur after the first contact with a product. Most often the allergic reaction occurs as a result of an earlier use of other product with similar ingredients. It so called phenomenon of a pseudo- cross allergy, that is one product being present in many cosmetic products (e.g. aloe).

Occurrence and escalation of allergic reaction depend on:

• Place of application (the most sensitive places are eyelids skin, lips area and armpits).
• Condition of skin where a cosmetic product is applied (irritated or damaged skin has a distorted natural protection barrier, so the allergen is able to penetrate deeper layers of the cuticle, causing allergic reaction. This situation is well known by men applying strong aftershave to an irritated face skin..
• Strength and quantity of the allergic substance (perfume cosmetic products with a complicated chemical composition are the strongest).
• Commonness of a given cosmetic product (persons with tendencies to allergic reactions should reach for less frequently used hypoallergic cosmetic products).

Another problem is a so called photoallergy effect, when allergic reaction to a given cosmetic occurs after being exposed to sun. We must remember to use non-fragrance hypoallergic cosmetics with simple chemical composition when sunbathing.

According to a producer, hypoallergic cosmetics (for sensitive skin) are such products which cause less allergic reactions than other similar products manufactured by a given company. There are no national regulations defining that term. There is also no obligation to list ingredients of a product on its label. We must then remember that there is no such product in the market which will not cause allergic reaction. Still a very common allergy is reaction to paraphenylene-diamine. This substance is present in dark hair dyes, henna, dark mascara. Those who use these product can experience contact eczema where the cosmetic was applied, it can be a strong reddening, swelling and itching.

In case of a hair dye the pathological reaction will most probably occur on the forehead, sided of the face and in the form of swollen eyelids as the hair covered scalp does not undergo any allergies.

To sum up: those people who discovered allergic reaction to skincare cosmetics should:

- see to a dermatologist as soon as possible, as appropriate examination and medical history will allow to confirm or exclude a contact allergy ,

- buy hypoallergic products with simple chemical composition,

- always try to touch cosmetic products with clean hands, do not leave cosmetics in open containers in a warm sunny place as these may lead to infect products and also make skin allergic reaction quite complex..

One should not attempt self diagnosis as poorly diagnosed and treated ailment can make the illness symptoms more complicated and prolong patient treatment.

dr Izabela Kobylińska