Did I have an allergic reaction?

[klarychick]

Ok, I am a 16 year old female teen and I have been getting more acne than usual so i used an acne product that I hadn't use in  a while after i got out of the shower. (The product was acne free and it contained 10% benzoyl peroxide) I slept with it on and then woke up and my cheeks were itchy. Once it rubbed them, they turned red like a sunburn. I was at school all day with red cheeks! Did I have an allergic reaction???

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
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.

[klarychick]

no but i used to use benzoyl products all the time... i guess its a sign i should stop...thanks!

[martikadragoon]

it sounds like you have a chemical burn or mild allergy of some kind. Your going to need to make sure you don't use that product for a few days. Does it say to sleep with it on?