Retinol rash

[Crybabyo]

Hi!
I used nutrogena healthy defense retinol with sunscreen twice: once in the evening and then the next morning. It's been three days since it was last used and my pain is getting worse and worse as time goes on! Yesterday I woke up with puffy eyes, all over redness, bumps, dryness, pain, and so much itchiness. Today, on top of these symptoms, I have a red bumpy rash on my cheeks and, oddly enough, under my chin where product was not even used. Is this normal for symptoms to progress so long after stopping? I'm traveling and away from home otherwise I'd try to get into a dermatologist. I'm afraid of scarring and wondering if there is anything I can do to stop it from getting worse, and to make it feel better in the meantime. I read that vitamin e could work and I also thought of Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, but not sure if that would be too clogging.
Thanks!!!  And help!!!

[RamanaGal]

I had a similar reaction to a sample I received from a friend, not knowing the form or strength of the retinol in it (dumb of me) and found the only relief came after a clay bath (minimum 1/2 cup) and then keeping a moist plaster of the same kind of clay on the affected area every day for as long as I could. I'd say I felt 80% relief just after one bath and one pack. The kind of clay I use for the bath and pack, as well as eating daily and filtering my drinking water with and more, is pyrophillite and comes from Crater Lake in Oregon. It doesn't bulk up like bentonite and is in its original form unlike zeolite. I get mine from a reputable company called Vitality Herbs and Clay and its called Sacred Clay. Good Luck!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves.If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.

If the irritation persists then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.