- Some products can cause allergic reactions and other adverse effects on the skin, especially in children with atopic dermatitis.
Young and old love to dress up and paint their faces on Halloween, but their fantasy world could be cut short by the improper use of makeup. Experts in pediatrics and dermatology warn that, although most face-painting products are harmless, there are some poor-quality items that can damage children’s skin.
Dr. Dolores Iñiguez, dermatologist at Clínica CreuBlanca, specifies: “color sticks, lipsticks, eye shadows and sprays for children that can be found in bazaars may contain harmful chemical agents that cause allergic reactions and other adverse effects on the skin”.
These reactions can range from skin redness to inflammation, swelling, intense itching and flaking, and, as the dermatologist says, can be more pronounced in children with atopic skin.
So it is up to parents to check product labels, be informed of the side effects, and be the ones to apply the product carefully to their children’s faces as well as to ensure proper skin care after makeup use.
Below we detail the unwanted reactions and symptoms that may indicate that cosmeticas are being misused, as well as tips and recommendations for safer use.
Allergic reactions
The main skin problems that some products can cause on the skin are allergic reactions due to sensitivity to some of the ingredients of the product used. These allergic reactions can manifest in two common types of diseases:
- Contact eczema: This is an excessive sensitization on contact with makeup pigments. It occurs most frequently when the skin reacts to the pigments, especially in colors such as red and green.
- Various intolerances: More moderate reactions that depend on individual sensitivity. Dr. Gallardo, CreuBlanca pediatrician, warns that children with atopic skin, due to their dry and sensitive skin, are more predisposed to these effects.
Types of reactions and symptoms
Eczemas or intolerances may appear immediately or after a few hours, and their symptoms may be more or less pronounced. Special care should be taken with those that do not appear to be the “obvious” symptoms of an allergic skin reaction, as they may be signs of “anaphylactic shock”, the most serious reaction there is.
These symptoms can be:
- Immediate or acute: Within minutes of applying makeup, signs of allergic reaction such as swelling, redness and itching of the skin begin to appear.
- Late: These are those that appear within 24 hours after applying the make-up. They include sensitization and mild appearance of inflammation, erythema or itching.
- Serious: Although it is very unlikely to happen due to the application of makeup, if we notice symptoms such as intense coughing, lip swelling or difficulty breathing, we should take our child immediately to the emergency room.
The pediatrician points out that once the allergic reaction has occurred, it is necessary to remove the product with soap and water and apply a moisturizing cream, although in the case of a more serious reaction, the specialist doctor will recommend the most appropriate product in each case.
6 Tips and recommendations for the use of cosmetics
To enjoy Halloween without skin risks, Dr. Iñiguez and Dr. Gallardo recommend:
- Use safe products, purchased in a pharmacy or with a quality seal.
- Do not share cosmetics to prevent the spread of infections among children.
- Do not use greasy products or in large quantities, especially in atopic skin.
- Watch for the initial signs of irritation described above.
- Discontinue use and remove the product immediately at the first sign of reaction.
- After use, completely remove make-up with neutral soap, make-up remover or hypoallergenic micellar water.