Anyone who has wandered through the maze of cosmetics in their local department store or drugstore knows that there are thousands of products that promise flawless skin. Unfortunately for certain people, these same products can lead to an unsightly allergic reaction called contact dermatitis. So how do you make sure the products you choose will help put your best face forward?
Unfortunately, avoiding allergic reactions isn't as simple as choosing products labeled "hypoallergenic" or "all natural." Below, Dr. Frances J. Storrs, a professor of dermatology emerita at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland who specializes in contact dermatitis, explains how to wisely choose your skin products.
What kinds of allergic reactions to skin products do people usually have?
They usually develop contact dermatitis, which is the allergic reaction similar to poison oak or poison ivy. As they begin to use a product, their skin becomes more and more red. They might also develop what doctors call vesicles which are tiny blisters that become crusty and ooze and then spread to other parts of the body. The dermatitis might spread up an arm or to the whole face or the eyelids might be involved. Depending on how strong an allergen you're dealing with, you may get an allergic eczema, which is an itchy rash. The allergic reaction just gets worse and worse until the person stops using the product.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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