How to recognize allergic acne?

Causes of allergies on the face

Remember! There are a large number of factors that contribute to the appearance of allergies, so sometimes it is necessary to use many methods to diagnose the pathology. Allergic reactions on the face are similar to a number of infectious diseases.

Allergy is the resistance of the immune system to the release of free histamine. Each person's skin reacts individually to the organic compound histamine, the biological substances of which act primarily as an irritant to the upper layer of the skin.

After a certain amount of time (it’s different for everyone), allergy symptoms appear. The symptoms of pseudoallergy are similar to the symptoms of true allergy, but the immune system is not involved.

Factors contributing to facial allergies:

exposure to low temperatures, air, heat, ultraviolet rays;
products with high concentrations of allergens;
long-term use of potent medications - antibiotics, analgesics;
pollen grains of highly allergenic plants, accumulation of mold spores, waste products of pets, dust;
cosmetics whose composition is not suitable for some people due to their skin type;
the influence of a severe psycho-emotional state, environmental pollution, genetic predisposition;
abuse of deep cleansing of the facial skin - the upper layers of the skin become thinner, which leads to sensitization of the epidermis to the irritant.

Important! According to ICD-10, allergies on the face are assigned the number L-20-L-30 (Dermatitis and eczema).

Experts distinguish:

Types of allergic reactions, that is, what contributed to the allergy - consumer products, medications, contact with an allergen and other reasons;
Allergic manifestations - rash, peeling, itching, burning, redness, pimples on any part of the facial skin (forehead, cheeks, chin, bridge of the nose and even neck).

Allergic rashes on the face in an adult

Allergic acne on beard

Photo 29 - Acne on the chin
Some people, having discovered various types of acne on the chin, are interested in why the chin is covered and how to cure this problem. Causes of rashes on the chin:

bites of various insects;

Photo 30 - Insect bites
use of low-quality cosmetics;

Photo 31 – Bad cosmetics
dust, animal hair;

Photo 32 - Dust, animal hair
low-quality medicines.

Photo 33 - Poor quality drugs

Important! How to get rid of acne? Self-medication is highly discouraged, so seek help from specialists.

If the allergy took you by surprise, and there is absolutely no time to visit a doctor, then inflammation in adults can be cured in the following ways:

We cleanse the skin of various contaminants and cosmetics;
Apply a bandage with an infusion of previously prepared sage or chamomile to your chin for about 10 to 15 minutes. If such herbs are not in the medicine cabinet, then weakly brewed tea can be used;

Photo 34 - Sage infusion - anti-acne remedy
Afterwards you need to blot with a soft towel and apply a special ointment.

The appearance of pimples due to allergies - what do they look like, how do they differ from acne?

It is often believed that a face with acne is the lot of teenagers. There is a reason for this, because the transition period is just the time for comedones to flourish on the face and body, thanks to the action of testosterone. Since this hormone is capable of turning teenagers into adults, it stimulates any chemical processes occurring in the body and causes acne to form. Testosterone is also part of our lives, and its main influence is visible in the work of the sebaceous glands throughout the body. The latter's receptors are very susceptible to the described hormone. It contributes to the production of sebum under its influence, or in other words, sebum, which is involved in the direct appearance of acne. This concept is associated with the direct hydration and protection of the skin from unpleasant carriers. Sebum is produced in sufficient volume and easily self-disqualifies when washed. Due to the significant accumulation of sebum on the skin surface, the exfoliation process is inhibited. Sebum mixes with keratinized scales, forming a kind of shell on the epidermis. Due to its “imprisonment” in the skin, a new amount of sebum gets stuck inside the pores, thereby forming a sebaceous plug. The latter undergoes oxidation with oxygen exposure and transforms into a blackhead - a blackhead.

The sebaceous plug is a great place for bacteria. It absorbs its contents, and acne turns into pimples, or inflammation of a superficial nature.

Etiology of itching

Itching is a skin reaction of varying severity in the form of irritation or burning, which occurs in a certain area of the skin and causes a desire to eliminate it. There may be no visible manifestations or there may be slight redness of the upper layer of skin, which will itch. Itching is always a consequence of exposure to parasites, chemicals, and bacteria. If the etiology is unclear, you can try simple remedies such as antibacterial cream and cold water. But if the process continues to worsen and the whole body itches, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Itchy skin can be localized or generalized, in which irritation is observed in different places. Having carefully examined the affected areas in the first case, most often you can find insects (lice, scabies bug, mosquito, flea), or atopic skin dermatitis, the etiology of which cannot be determined. In such cases, doctors recommend using folk remedies such as baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or table salt. Insect bites can be easily identified by the fact that characteristic marks left by their activity appear on the body, in the form of a small swelling with a dot in the middle, a bump with a tip, or a two-color, red and white spot.

The cause of itching may be failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards (stale underwear or bed linen), musty air in the room, dust that has not been removed for a long time, the use of household chemicals or chemicals during cleaning, heat or cold, and other objective reasons for which the skin react with specific irritation. But everything may not be so harmless if a negative phenomenon is observed throughout the body, and in order to relieve it, you have to resort to medications. Generalized itching may be a consequence of systemic disorders of the internal organs and indicate malfunctions of the endocrine system. The skin does not itch for no particular reason and needs to be taken care of.

Classification of allergic reactions

Allergies in adults and children can occur for various reasons. At the moment when the immune system begins to fight the irritant, it is difficult to determine what contributed to the allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions are divided into:

instantaneous - a dangerous type of allergy, characterized by the immediate onset of allergic symptoms. The reaction is observed several minutes to half an hour after interaction with the allergen;
delayed - symptoms are noticed after a few hours - two, three days. A distinctive feature of the allergic reaction is pale, small rashes, usually with mild itching - a consequence of cumulative allergies.

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Allergic acne on the face photo

What causes an allergic reaction on the face?

The root cause of allergic rashes is an autoimmune malfunction, which increases skin sensitivity. When allergens enter the bloodstream, the body produces antibodies. They bind to allergic agents and form an immune complex that can attack healthy cells. All this together leads to the formation of small pimples and blisters on the skin.

The main provocateurs of an allergic reaction in the form of acne:

food products (vegetables and red fruits, citrus fruits, sweets, food with a huge amount of E-additives, etc.);
decorative and hygienic cosmetics;
household chemicals (soap, shampoo, etc.);
insect bites;
dust mites;
plant pollen;
molds;
taking certain medications (antibiotics, hormonal agents, some multivitamins);
hereditary predisposition;
hormonal disorders;
gastrointestinal diseases;
autoimmune diseases.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause, otherwise after a while the problem will begin to bother you again. The cause can be determined through diagnostic testing. You should take allergy tests. Typically, irritation is caused by several allergens at once.

Why does the face suffer from allergic rashes?

The skin on the face most often becomes covered with allergic rashes as a result of the following:

The largest number of allergens are found in our environment. By inhaling the allergen along with the air, the nose is exposed to the first attack of the allergen, and accordingly, rashes will most quickly appear on the face.
When eating foods containing an allergen, the mouth and lips are involved in the initial contact, which also causes the appearance of rashes.

Cosmetics that are applied directly to the face come into direct contact with it.
The face is open, it cannot be protected by clothing like the body, hence the greater risk of the allergen getting on it.

The dangers of no treatment

Thinking that small pimples on the body itch are quite harmless and will go away if you apply ointment or cream, it seems quite reasonable if this has happened more than once and went away with virtually no treatment. But if the skin is subjected to such attacks not sporadically, but with visible frequency, it’s time to think about some measures. One day, the rash will not go away after another attack, and it will not be possible to repel it with the help of a cream, and instead of it other, more serious phenomena will appear (we are not talking about insect bites, which can be killed). If the rash is a consequence of a serious disease that has just begun to appear (and the accompanying itching throughout the body indicates this), then instead of it the following may appear:

Many diseases that could be hypothetical provocateurs for the appearance of red rashes can lead to a complex variety of skin lesions. But even if they are not there, then an untreated rash, scratched by nails that are not always clean, or rubbed by clothes, when infection gets into the pimples, can fester and cause the whole range of demonstrated stages.

Allergy symptoms on the face

Allergic symptoms are directly related to the location and type of allergy.

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The main symptoms of allergies on the face:

rashes of various types - spots, pustules, papules, blisters, scales, erosions;
swelling, swelling of the face;
redness.

Primary and secondary signs of an allergic reaction

At the initial stage of allergies on the skin of the face, the following are formed:

pustules - small cavity formations with pus inside, which subsequently burst with further scarring of the tissue;
papules are small red bumps, the size of which varies from 3 to 30 mm. Papules disappear without a trace after treatment;
vesicles - a ball-shaped rash filled with liquid exudate - transparent or with blood impurities. Often formed during severe inflammatory process on the skin;
blisters are defined, swollen rashes with liquid inside, they itch very much, and the skin of the face swells.

Allergy papules and pustules on the face Secondary allergy symptoms are:

scales - are formed due to peeling of the upper layer of skin, the result of healed papules, vesicles, pustules, as areas of dead epidermis are exfoliated. Grayish, white or yellowish crusts are localized on the eyebrows, ears, head, eyelids;
scabs - noticed due to prolonged dermatitis. Yellowish or gray crusts form after the acute process has subsided from dried exudate;
erosion - opened pustules and vesicles provoke erosive formations, which serve as open gates for the penetration of infections and bacteria.

In addition to various types of rashes on the face, the following allergic signs appear:

facial flushing - often redness indicates a food allergy, the provocateurs of which are honey, nuts, chocolate, coffee, alcoholic drinks, citrus fruits. Redness appears on the cheeks, chin, neck, forehead;
contact dermatitis - with allergies, the skin of the face begins to itch very much, redness and swelling of the epidermis are also possible;
eczema is an allergic inflammation of the skin that occurs acutely, after which it usually becomes chronic. When an allergy occurs, the face turns red, swells, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel, various rashes form, and after them erosions are noticed;
erythema - sometimes allergies provoke increased blood flow and dilation of capillaries, which is why you can notice red flat spots on the face that cannot be touched - they merge with the epidermis. The allergic reaction goes away with the elimination of the allergen;
Quincke's edema - the allergy manifests itself with lightning speed, and the symptoms can be very diverse: from redness and swelling of the epidermis with severe itching to swelling of the mucous membranes - eyes, lips, eyelids. At the first symptoms, you must call an ambulance, otherwise swelling of the larynx, tongue, and upper palate may occur, which is accompanied by suffocation. This manifestation is called anaphylactic shock.

Attention! As for children, an allergy on the child’s face may appear when switching from breastfeeding to artificial feeding or with the introduction of complementary foods. If the mother is still breastfeeding, the baby develops allergic symptoms if the mother eats a highly allergenic product. Redness, itching, various rashes, crusts and scales form with contact dermatitis, eczema, and food allergies.

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Allergic symptoms taking into account the location of the lesion

In most cases, allergy symptoms appear for specific reasons. So, redness can be observed on the chin, cheeks, and forehead. But there are some peculiarities.

A rash usually does not appear in the eyes, but swelling, redness, lacrimation appears, and the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. The lips are also mucous membranes, like the eyes, so rashes are rare, and with an individual reaction on the inside of the lips, patients complain of blisters. Also, the lips become swollen, and the tingling sensation does not stop until the allergy subsides.

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Allergies in the ears are manifested by severe redness and itching, which leads to flaking. Most often, an allergic reaction to the ears is a consequence of contact dermatitis or food allergies.

What to do if you have an allergy on the face, severe swelling

Causes of allergic rash

The tactics of treatment measures are determined taking into account the reasons that provoked the appearance of a rash on the face and the clinical picture of the pathological process.

Sometimes it is possible to determine the provoking factor of such a phenomenon on your own, but often only a doctor can identify the substance that caused such a reaction in the body. Therefore, if a rash occurs, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The causes of the pathological process may be the following:

use of medications;
exposure to ultraviolet rays;
consumption of allergenic foods;
use of low-quality cosmetics;
plant pollen;
insect bites;
contact with animals;
nervous system disorders;
unsuitable climatic conditions;
dust mites.

Allergic manifestations on the face may appear 3-4 hours after contact with the antigen. These kinds of symptoms should not be ignored, since with prolonged exposure to the allergen on the body, damage occurs to the mucous membrane, lymphatic system, and respiratory organs.

If left untreated, this condition can cause disruptions in the body and seriously affect health.

Types and symptoms of facial allergies

It can be quite difficult to distinguish an allergy rash from acne of other origins, especially if you already have similar problems on your face. An allergic reaction can be determined based on other accompanying symptoms.

Acne caused by an allergy is most often not the only symptom. As a rule, the pathological process is accompanied by other clinical manifestations.

These include:

labored breathing;
hypersecretion of the nasal mucosa;
increased lacrimation;
redness of the eyes;
coughing attacks;
sneezing;
secretion of sputum.

How to cure allergic dermatosis?

What should be done to reduce the effect of an irritating or sensitizing substance on the body? It is imperative to exclude it from the patient’s diet and environment. Eliminating provoking factors will immediately reduce the risk of new acne, and existing ones will gradually disappear.

The formation of an allergic rash on the body in most cases is associated with an unfavorable interaction of the body with external factors and internal diseases. The skin suffers from gastrointestinal pathologies and stress. Ultraviolet rays and extreme temperatures have a negative effect on the epidermis. The body cover should be protected from any adverse factors.

Allergy treatment

Important! Before treating facial allergies, you should consult your doctor. Self-therapy leads to irreversible consequences and complications.

Allergy treatment is provided depending on the speed of the reaction. Therapeutic methods for treating different types of allergies differ from each other. Fulminant and delayed types of allergies are treated differently.

Lightning type

Quincke's edema is a severe allergic reaction, the symptoms of which appear instantly and do not require delay or self-medication. You should immediately call a rescue team, and before the ambulance arrives, it is advisable to take an antihistamine to help relieve swelling.

In case of acute allergies, help will be provided by Suprastin, Tavegil, Diphenhydramine, Erius, Claritin, Cetrin, Fexadin and other medicines, at least one of them should preferably be stored in a home medicine cabinet.

Attention! Allergic Lyell's syndrome is characterized by an immediate course. Blisters quickly form on the skin of the face and other parts of the body, which burst, and the epidermis becomes covered with erosions. An allergic reaction is accompanied by high body temperature, and if you do not call an ambulance as soon as possible, death is possible.

Facial allergy Quincke's edema

Slow type

With a slow type of allergy, the processes occur sequentially and slowly. Typically, red spots appear on the face, which subsequently begin to itch and cause discomfort. The itching and redness are accompanied by a rash on the cheeks, chin and nasolabial triangle.

The sequence of actions for a patient suffering from a delayed type facial allergy:

Determine the cause contributing to the irritation and allergic reaction. It is advisable to remember what you ate, drank, what medications you took recently, petted someone’s cat, came into contact with synthetic fabrics, etc.;
Limit contact with the allergen - if you neglect this rule, the allergy will move from the acute stage to the chronic stage;
Before visiting a doctor, wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in a decoction of chamomile, calendula, string, and sage. The herbal decoction has an antiseptic and sedative effect;
Make a compress using boric acid. Dilute 1 tsp. a glass of water and periodically apply moistened gauze to your face;
Take an antihistamine - the sooner the substance begins to fight allergies, the faster the symptoms will go away;
Visit an allergist or dermatologist, who will diagnose allergies using proven methods and then choose treatment tactics.

Note! Treatment depends on the severity of the allergic process.

Eczema on the face After collecting anamnesis and tests, the doctor prescribes treatment for allergies on the face. Therapy is most often complex and may consist only of oral or local medications. The process of curing allergies consists of the following methods:

restoration of the immune system;
removing allergens from the body and purifying the blood;
antihistamines.

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Medical recommendations for treating allergies:

antihistamines in tablets, drops and syrups - children are prescribed antiallergic medications in syrups and drops, and children over 12 years of age and adults are prescribed tablets. New generation drugs Erius, Claritin, Xyzal and others are especially effective, but in acute conditions it is advisable to use first generation drugs - Suprastin, Tavegil, Diphenhydramine;
non-hormonal and anti-inflammatory ointments and creams - Fenistil-gel, Skin-Cap, Bepanten;
hormonal creams and ointments - if non-hormonal remedies do not cope with allergies on the face, corticosteroid drugs will help, which should be used with caution. It is not advisable for children to use hormonal medications, but for adults, Advantan, Elokom, Sinaflan will help;
sorbents for cleansing the body of allergens - Enterosgel, Lactofiltrum, activated carbon;
sedatives to calm and maintain the nervous system - Persen, tincture of valerian, motherwort.

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Allergies on the face, neck and body

Treatment with folk remedies

It is important to know! Traditional methods of treatment will not cure allergies, but they help relieve symptoms, soothe and smooth the skin of the face.

Some people believe that doctors do not recommend treating allergies with non-standard medicine, but if the doctor is confident in the method, he will definitely prescribe recommendations.

Experts are confident that if you wash and smear your face with herbal mixtures of celandine, nettle, burdock, calendula, chamomile, dandelion and other medicinal plants, you can overcome allergic symptoms.

Here is one of the recipes. Requires 2 tbsp. l. dry small leaves of celandine and 2 tbsp. l. boiled water. Steam the medicinal herb, let it brew for about 4 hours, and then treat the affected areas of the face 2-3 times a day.

Most medicinal plants act as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic, and therefore relieve discomfort on the skin of the face.

Folk remedies for allergies

Prevention measures

At the first signs of an allergy on the face, you should consult a doctor;
Self-medication will not save you from allergies, but will only worsen the situation;
If you are prone to allergic reactions, you should always keep an antihistamine at home;
Following a hypoallergenic diet will relieve food allergy symptoms;
Limit contact with the allergen.