The Cream You've Used for Years Suddenly Burns? Maybe Your Skin Has Developed an Allergy

We are used to thinking that if we used a product for years without any problem, it will surely continue to suit us.

But sometimes something strange happens.

Our regular face cream begins to cause redness, the perfume we love causes itching, or the skin suddenly reacts to a cleansing product that never bothered us.

One of the possible reasons is contact dermatitis, called Contact Dermatitis.

What is contact dermatitis?

It is an inflammatory reaction that develops following contact of the skin with a certain substance.

There are two main types.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Occurs when a certain substance damages the skin barrier or causes direct irritation.

For example, frequent hand washing, strong cleaning agents, or excessive use of acids.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Occurs when the immune system develops a sensitivity to a certain substance.

After the sensitivity has developed, further exposure to the same substance can trigger an inflammatory reaction.

Can we develop an allergy to a product we've used for years?

Yes.

A contact allergy can develop even after a long period of use without problems.

Sometimes the body is exposed to a certain substance again and again, and only later does an immune sensitivity to it develop.

Therefore the fact that a product suited us in the past does not guarantee that we won't develop an allergy to it in the future.

Which ingredients can cause a reaction?

Fragrance, certain preservatives, hair dyes, metals such as nickel, and additional ingredients can cause an allergy in sensitive people.

But it's important to distinguish between an ingredient that may cause an allergy in some people and an ingredient that is not safe for use in general.

Most people can use many products without a reaction, and the sensitivity is personal.

What does the reaction look like?

The symptoms can include redness, itching, burning, swelling, flaking, and sometimes blisters too.

An allergic contact reaction does not always appear immediately. Sometimes it develops only a day or two after the exposure.

Therefore it's not always easy to identify which product caused the problem.

How can we discover what causes the allergy?

If allergic contact dermatitis is suspected, a dermatologist can recommend a patch test, called a Patch Test.

In this test, small amounts of common allergens are attached to the skin and it's checked whether a delayed reaction develops.

This is not the same test as a prick test for immediate allergies.

What should we do if the skin starts reacting?

Temporarily stop using the suspected product, if it's a cosmetic product that is not essential.

Avoid peels and additional active ingredients until the skin calms down.

Use a gentle cleanser and a simple moisturizer, without fragrance, suited to sensitive skin.

If the reaction continues or returns, it's advisable to see a dermatologist.

In a case of significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or a severe reaction, seek urgent medical care.

My daily recommendation

I think we need to remember that our skin does not stay the same over the course of life.

It changes with age, with the environment, and with its state of health.

A product that suited us for years can stop suiting us, and that doesn't necessarily mean the product itself changed.

Therefore it's worth paying attention to the skin's reactions and not continuing to use something that causes irritation just because we used it in the past.

In my eyes, good skincare is not only knowing what to apply, but also knowing when to stop.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

FOLLOW ORORGANI    Website · Blog · YouTube · Instagram · Facebook · Threads · Medium · Substack