Expensive cosmetics still irritate my skin
I AM very scrupulous about my skin and splashed out on top-ofthe-range anti-ageing creams. They are unscented but I seem to be getting a rash and scaly patches on my neck and face in the last few weeks. I started the creams two months ago. So could it still be them or is it something else? Mary, Co. Laois
IT could very easily be something you are putting on your skin. Reactions don’t always take place instantly. Weaker skin irritants may take days or weeks of continued use before they start to react on the skin.
Most women use about seven different types of cosmetics every day ranging from face washes to nail varnishes. It is thought that one in 10 of us will suffer from some type of cosmetic allergy at some point in our lives.
Fragrances and preservatives are the things that affect us most in terms of face lotions and potions.
Products labelled unscented are not necessarily perfume or fragrance-free, so beware.
In terms of preservatives, all cosmetics that contain water have a preservative to prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria.
Parabens are an incredibly common type of preservative to which many people are sensitive.
Hypoallergenic means that you are less likely to be allergic to it, but it doesn’t guarantee you won’t be allergic to it!
So what should you do? Well it makes sense to eliminate the creams you have bought most recently and see if the skin improves.
A low-grade contact irritant dermatitis can take several weeks to come on, as it occurs due to repeated exposure to the irritant. So sometimes you don’t associate the offending item with the reaction as you may have been using it for some time.
If you need to soothe your skin see your pharmacist for some moisturiser, which you can use to ease the dry patches, and also as a soap substitute to wash the skin with.
When choosing a new product, do a mini-patch test on the inside of your wrist first. If the skin is OK in 48 hours, only then should you start to use it.
Choose a product with the fewest ingredients listed on the back, so there is less to react to.
Make a note of the ingredient you felt caused sensitivity in the previous product, so you are on the alert for it in future preparations. Take care also as some products cause reactions when the skin is out in direct sunlight.
If your detective work fails to find the answer, see your GP, who can refer you to a dermatologist if they feel it would help. I NOTICED over St Patrick’s weekend I get a lot of flushing when I take a drink. It’s a bit embarrassing — could I be allergic to alcohol? It would seem strange, as although I do have allergies I have never had a problem with wine! David, Cork
True alcohol allergy is rare but you may have alcohol intolerance. As a rule of thumb, red wine tends to cause the greatest reaction, followed by whiskey then beer.
It is also possible to be allergic to the congeners in alcohol. These are chemicals which are added to give it flavour, body and aroma rather than the alcohol itself. As alcohol increases the permeability of the gut it means foods you may be sensitive to may cause a more severe reaction when taken with alcohol. Sulphites are a particular problem when it comes to reactions. They are used to preserve alcohol and prevent spoilage and are frequently found in wine.
Histamine is also found in many alcoholic drinks, as it is a by-product of the fermentation process. We know histamine mediates reactions such as hay fever and hives, so sourcing it through an alcoholic drink means it could make your flush, itch, or wheeze. Firstly, it is worth doing a trial and error test of which drink is more likely to give you symptoms — unless you want to go teetotal. As you are a wine-drinker, read the label and ask for low sulphite or sulphite-free wine. Most allergic reactions are mediated by histamine so it is possible to take anti-histamine to temper them. However, the combination of these pills and alcohol is not good. Avoidance of alcohol is the obvious cure but if your symptoms prove severe and/or progressive then seek medical advice.