Facial went wrong

[Jess866]

To Dermatology,

I had a regular facial two days ago and had informed the esthetician I have very dry skin. She cleansed my face with two or more so products and then applied an "alpha exfoliation" cream on my face. She told me I will feel some tingling or itching which is normal. But after the facial, my cheeks started feeling very uncomfortable. My cheeks were burning. So after I paid for my facial I went to the restroom to take a look in the mirror. I saw my whole cheeks swollen with red blotches. So I went out and talked to the esthetician. She said I might have an allergic reaction to facial. She tried to take off the product that was applied to my face after the exfoliation. And tried to apply creams to help calm the skin. But anything she puts on made my skin burn. Finally, she put a thick layer of after sun gel on my face and sent me home. I went to a pharmacy and was planning on buying cortizone cream to put on my face. But the pharmacist recommended Benedryl instead. He suggested that I do not put anything on my face. So I drank a lot of water and took two Benedryl that night. Next morning, the swelling had gone down. But there are scabs all over my face which I'm not sure how well it will heal and how long it will take. What can I do to help the healing? Can I put anything on my face? Shall I see a dermatologist? I'm afraid the scabs will leave scars. I have been go to facials regularly for the last  20 years, and this has never happened to me. It was one of the worst day I've ever had. Please give me some advice.    

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Let us know if you need any further information.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

[Jess866]

Thank you for your reply and suggestions. I will continue to take antihistamine pills, since my face started feeling quite itchy today and peeling in areas. I will seek a consultation from a skin specialist to make sure there is no scarring. I still can't understand what kind of acid they put on my face to cause burns like this one.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Glad the post was of some help to you.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you need any other information.

Post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.