ALLERGEN AVOIDANCE

When the skin is red and itchy, it often represents dry skin and eczema, or atopic dermatitis. However allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) can look very similar. ACD is the development of an allergy to something that comes in contact with your skin. A common example is poison ivy/oak which is usually obvious. However many cases of ACD go undiagnosed, because the offending allergen (thing you are allergic to) is hidden in a moisturizer/make-up or laundry sheet, etc.

If your dermatologist is considering the possibility of ACD, or he/she wants to minimize any irritation of already inflamed skin (or both), he/she may ask you to eliminate, as much as possible, all products with potential sensitizers like fragrance, perfume, some preservatives etc. This may include finding new:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap or Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen
• Antiperspirant
• Laundry detergent

And for the moment, no

• Dryer sheets
• Cologne
• Perfume

But I've used those products for years!

Unfortunately, you can develop ACD to a product that you’ve used for years. In fact, this is the norm. Patients usually develop ACD after months to years of exposure. Alternatively, the product may have been reformulated and now contains different ingredients.

Specific Suggestions

There are a variety of products out there to choose from. The Vanicream line is nice in that it has nearly all the products you might need. For a more detailed list of products to choose from, see Dr. Katta's excellent website: here and here. See also Dr. Swanson's Favorite Things.

Vanicream Line

Vanicream products are available at some drugstores or 1-800-325-8232 or www.vanicream.com.

• Vanicream shampoo
• Vanicream dandruff shampoo (with 2% pyrithione zinc)
• Vanicream conditioner [PG]
• Vanicream styling gel
• Vanicream hairspray soft or firm hold
• Vanicream gentle facial cleanser (hydrating)
• Vanicream liquid cleanser (foaming)
• Vanicream bar soap
• Vanicream ointment
• Vanicream Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Vanicream Sunblock SPF 50+
• Vanicream Deodorant for Sensitive Skin (Aluminum Free)
• Vanicream Antiperspirant/Deodorant
• Vanicream Shave Cream

Laundry Detergent

• All Free and Clear
• Tide Free
• Branch Basics
• Simple Truth Laundry Detergent

Other Key Points

• Wash new clothes before wearing. Washing new clothes helps to remove chemical residues and dyes that could cause a reaction.
• Be attune to anything that seems to make your rash worse and let your dermatologist know. But remember, the time it takes for the rash to develop may be several days. For example, a rash from a new moisturizer may show up 3 days later.

Follow your dermatologists recommendations, prescription medications and allergen avoidance to improve your skin. If this is not enough, he/she may recommend patch testing to document any possible allergies.

RegionalDerm

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