How to deal with allergies to cosmetics

Normal cosmetics contain a large amount of chemical substances, which are irritating to human skin. Therefore, many people with overly sensitive skin will experience skin allergies after applying cosmetics. If you find yourself allergic after applying cosmetics, you must stop using the cosmetics immediately. It is also very necessary to understand the correct way to deal with cosmetic allergies at this time.

1. What is cosmetic allergy?

Cosmetic allergy is a very common form of allergy. Cosmetic allergy is caused by certain ingredients in cosmetics that stimulate skin cells, causing skin cells to produce antibodies, thus leading to allergies.

2. Symptoms of allergies

Most cosmetic allergy symptoms are accompanied by itching, and may also be accompanied by redness, swelling, desquamation, blisters, or scabs and exudate liquefaction of lesions; these lesions vary in shape and size. Occasionally, symptoms such as chest tightness, numbness, and swelling may occur; when these symptoms occur, it is a skin allergy. Other symptoms of skin allergies include itchy skin, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, rash, airway obstruction, or skin symptoms such as hives. In extremely rare cases, allergic reactions can even be life-threatening, such as a condition called anaphylactic shock.

3. Types of allergies

Generally speaking, dermatitis caused by cosmetic allergies includes: contact dermatitis, cheilitis, photosensitivity, herpes, acne, etc.

4. The Principle of Allergy

In the case of skin allergies, the allergenic agent passes through the skin and encounters white blood cells. When a white blood cell considers a molecule of a certain structure to be threatening, it will hold on to that molecule, perhaps not the entire molecule, but just a part of it. In fact, this may be a reaction between the allergen and a protein in the skin. But then the body will behave as if it were "attacked" by some external substance. Blood vessels begin to dilate so that white blood cells can quickly reach the site of the "attack." This is why the skin turns red and creates what we call erythema or a rash. A large number of inflammatory factors are released to kill the perceived invader. As collateral damage, the skin feels hot and itchy.

5. Treatment methods after allergy

So, what should you do if you have an allergy? When the skin shows allergic symptoms such as burning and swelling, you should apply cold compress to the skin with saline (mineral water) as soon as possible. Because after the skin is allergic, some red spots will appear on the skin, swelling will reappear, and there will be a burning sensation. At this time, applying cold compress to the skin can shrink the dilated capillaries and reduce the inflammatory response. Also, avoid washing your face or body with water that is too hot or too cold to avoid further irritating your skin.

6. Things to note after allergies

1. Stop using skin care products

If skin allergy occurs, stop using skin care products immediately and wash off remaining cosmetics with clean water for further observation.

2. Use sunscreen products

After being allergic to cosmetics, the skin barrier is weaker and the ability to defend against ultraviolet rays will also decrease, which can easily cause skin aging. Therefore, you need to use sunscreen products with safe sunscreen ingredients, do basic skin care before sunscreen, and avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Because ultraviolet rays have extremely strong penetrating power, frequent contact will make the skin thinner and more susceptible to irritation.

3. Avoid external stimulation

Avoid all kinds of external stimulation, such as washing with hot water, violent scratching, excessive scrubbing, etc. There are many friends who, after an allergy, heat themselves with hot water, use salt or pepper, or just scratch desperately. Although these measures are very effective for a period of time, the initial damage will be heavier after stopping, and then further irritate, leading to a vicious cycle of skin deterioration.

4. Seek medical attention promptly

If skin allergies are caused by improper use of cosmetics, you must go to the hospital for treatment in time, and do not use ointments for treating general skin diseases at will. Otherwise, it will cause rough skin, pigmentation, and aggravate the skin disease.

5. Find out the allergens

If dermatitis occurs due to the use of cosmetics, you should try to find out the allergens of the original cosmetics to avoid purchasing and using another cosmetic with the same allergen, which may cause skin sensitivity again.

Allergic reactions are very common and can happen to anyone at any time. Among the large family of allergens, cosmetic allergy is the mildest. This is because cosmetics are used in small amounts, and most of the cosmetics that are applied cannot penetrate the skin at all. Formulators already know to avoid certain ingredients with a high allergenic potential, and industry has been working extensively to minimize known allergic reactions.