occurs after repeated use of the product that contains the offending agent .
Types of Skin Reactions
When a patient experiences a reaction , often the first thought is an allergic reaction . However , not all skin reactions are an allergy . They may also be an acne eruption or irritation that occur from a treatment or product .
It is not uncommon for acne to become exacerbated following treatments or as a result of using new products . Occlusive acne is an undesired response to clogged pores , which is caused by products that are too emollient or occlusive . Acne from skin purging occurs when treatments or active ingredients speed up the cell turnover rate . This causes sebum and dried skin cells to rise to the surface and purge from the pores . Skin purging is an appropriate response , and often much needed to ultimately achieve clear skin .
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin encounters a substance that triggers a reaction . There are two forms of contact dermatitis , irritant and allergic . Irritant contact dermatitis is more common than allergic , accounting for up to 80 percent of contact dermatitis cases . With irritant dermatitis , a treatment or product will irritate the stratum corneum , the protective layer of the skin , but the immune system is not involved .
Allergic contact dermatitis involves the body ’ s immune system . When the skin comes into contact with the offending allergen , the body mounts an inflammatory response that can take a few days to manifest on the skin . When an allergen is the cause , the allergic dermatitis often
Handling a Skin Reaction That is Occuring
As clinicians , we are accustomed to seeing skin reactions , and we know they are treatable . However , this may be a patient ’ s first adverse experience . They will be nervous and worry about long term consequences . Whenever possible , it is very helpful for to bring the patient into the clinic to evaluate their skin in person and discuss possible causes as well as treatment . Discussing the issue in person and learning that there is a solution will help ease their concern .
Skin purging is an appropriate response , and often much needed to ultimately achieve clear skin .
The approach to a possible skin reaction requires a thorough review with the patient of the home skincare regimen , devices used , history of prior skin issues , other ongoing medical events ( such as allergies , inflammatory events , or recent infections ), treatments being received at other clinics , and anything else that might be relevant . After making a thorough evaluation , the clinician will be able to determine if the skin reaction is acne , an irritation , or an allergy .
If a patient is experiencing acne , the next step is to determine if the skin is going through an acclimation period
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