Allergy to Cosmetics and Metals

Allergy to cosmetics and metals is common among all age groups and can cause minor irritation to severe problems.

Symptoms:

• Very itchy rashes from head to toe, or in a confined area.
• If on the hands and feet, it can be disabling as well as cause irritation.
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Swelling of the lips and tongue
• Difficulty breathing.
• Skin sensitivity and itching

Most common metal allergens:

• Nickel – mostly used in jewelry, earrings, hairpins, rings, bracelets, spectacle frames and buttons on clothing. Eye shadow may also contain nickel. Very small amounts of nickel are sufficient to trigger allergy. Nickel has also been detected in medical injectors and cardiac pacemakers.
• Thimerosal - a mercury compound used in local antiseptics and in vaccines.
• Neomycin sulfate - a topical antibiotic common in first aid creams and ointments, found in cosmetics, deodorants, soaps
• Formaldehyde - a preservative used in medications, cosmetic products and fabric finishing.
• Cobalt chloride - metal found in medical products; hair dye; antiperspirants, plated buttons or tools
• Quaternium 15 - preservative found in cosmetic products such as shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen.
• Chromium - may act as a primary irritant or cause delayed type of contact eczema. Chromate allergy occurs in painters, photographers, welders, tanners and those who are exposed to different dyes. Dichromates are found in shoes, zippers, leather camera cases, cement, glues and chromium plated jewels.
• Mercury - Mercuric salts as Mercurochrome used as a common antiseptic may cause allergy. Phenyl mercuric salts used in glue and in cosmetic industry as a preservative, in agriculture as insecticide and fungicide are also allergic.
• Phenyl mercuric acetate which is used in some vaginal spermicides, may cause allergic reaction.
• Arsenic - Arsenic salts are a common cause of allergy. Different types are used in the manufacture of chalk, fabrics and domestic articles, disinfectant in agriculture and as a preservative of animal skins .
• Gold - Gold salts, e.g. gold trichloride which is used in photography, gold plating and porcelain are allergy causing.White gold may contain nickel which is a source of allergy.

Cosmetic culprits -

• The most common allergens in cosmetics are permanent hair dyes which contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Other offending products include perfumes, eye shadow, nail polish, lipstick, and sun screens that contain preservatives and fragrances.
• The topmost cause of allergic skin reactions to cosmetics is fragrance. The skin reactions to fragrance chemicals can produce rashes, hives, dermatitis, or eczema.
• Eyelids are extra prone to absorbing makeup, sometimes creating sensitivity to certain products that may lead to allergic reactions. The use of eyeliner and mascara in sensitive individuals can cause eyelid dermatitis, an allergic reaction creating puffy eyelids, itching, irritation, and other symptoms.
• Sunscreens - The sunscreen ingredient benzophenone, which blocks harmful UV radiation, can cause allergy.  Contact dermatitis is common on areas of the face and neck where sunscreen has been applied and is most often noticed after UV exposure.

Hair Products - Benzophenone can also be found in hair care products, especially shampoos. Protein hydrolysates (PHs) compounds (including collagen, keratin, elastin, milk, wheat, almond) - found in hair conditioners, soaps and related products cause allergic skin reactions.

Allergic reactions range from minor skin reactions to more serious disorders such as swelling of the lips and tongue, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

How to prevent cosmetic caused allergy:

The best way out is to avoid make-up altogether. But, if that is not possible, then check out these alternatives –

• Choose powdered cosmetics over liquid when possible - Powder cosmetics have very few preservatives and contain minimal ingredients that can cause skin irritation.

• Avoid waterproof cosmetics - Waterproof cosmetics require a solvent to remove them which also removes the sebum, the oily skin barrier.

• Dispose old cosmetics - Old make-up products, especially eye cosmetics become contaminated. Wash make-up brushes and sponges regularly since they retain dirt and germs that will aggravate sensitive skin.

• Use black-colored eyeliner and mascara products - Dermatologists feel that black is the least allergenic of all colourants.

• Use earth-toned cosmetics - Lighter earthy tones have less concentration of pigments as compared to darker colours.

• Check out the sunscreen ingredients – Peoplewith sensitive skin, should use sunscreen that contain only physical ingredients (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) which deflect the UV rays rather than absorb them.

• Use silicone based foundations – since silicone has a very low incidence of skin irritation.

Diagnosis and treatment of the allergy -

Allergic people usually self-treat with topical corticosteroids which are available over-the-counter.  But they also have their own side-effects. Long-term use of these medications on the face can cause thinning of the skin with visible blood vessels, rosacea, or even cataracts and glaucoma if used near the eye.

After allergens are identified, doctors advise patients how to avoid the allergy causing substances, and to use products that do not cause reactions.

Self-care at home:

• Allergen avoidance is the chief treatment.used to treat rashes.
• Minimize products for topical use.
• Use ointments instead of creams.
• Try to avoid botanical extracts found in "fragrance-free" or "natural" products as these can be allergenic
• Topical steroids may be needed to reduce inflammation and itching.

If the above don’t seem to reduce the allergy, the doctor may advise:

• An antihistamine to control the itch
• A corticosteroid to relieve skin inflammation – which can be applied as a cream or ointment. If symptoms are severe, corticosteroids can be given by mouth or by injection.
• Moisturizer to help restore the normal texture of the skin

Beauty products are a great way to enhance appearance, but if you have allergic skin and are finding that metals and cosmetics do more harm than good, the best way out is to consult a dermatologist to help determine the right beauty regime.