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Hi, My Wife Seems To Have Had An Allergic Reaction
Question: Hi,
My wife seems to have had an allergic reaction.
The history is that after putting on a cloth-type facial mask almost three months ago, she developed a red and itchy sensation on the sides of her face. These reactions persisted for almost three weeks before gradually subsiding.
Then recently upon cutting onions, strangely the facial skin itch started again two days ago starting on one side of the face before spreading now to the other side. She did experience also tearing while cutting the onions which was considered to be normal. She has tried kenacomb otic cream, hydrozole cream and Telfast 180 but these only offer temporary and incomplete relief from the itching and redness.
What could cause the condition where there is recurrence if symptoms without exposure to the same trigger and what are the possible treatments? I have attached pictures of the face area affected.
Thankyou.
My wife seems to have had an allergic reaction.
The history is that after putting on a cloth-type facial mask almost three months ago, she developed a red and itchy sensation on the sides of her face. These reactions persisted for almost three weeks before gradually subsiding.
Then recently upon cutting onions, strangely the facial skin itch started again two days ago starting on one side of the face before spreading now to the other side. She did experience also tearing while cutting the onions which was considered to be normal. She has tried kenacomb otic cream, hydrozole cream and Telfast 180 but these only offer temporary and incomplete relief from the itching and redness.
What could cause the condition where there is recurrence if symptoms without exposure to the same trigger and what are the possible treatments? I have attached pictures of the face area affected.
Thankyou.
Brief Answer:
Eczematous rash, answer few questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query and reviewed the attached photographs.
It seems to be an eczematous rash.
I need to ask you few questions:
Has your wife used any new cosmetics on the face?
Is she having history of excessive sun exposure for last few days?
Does she have any history of allergic rhinitis, excessive sneezing or asthma ?
Does she have a dry skin?
Has she developed a similar rash in the past apart from the one you mentioned?
Kindly revert with the answers.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
Eczematous rash, answer few questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query and reviewed the attached photographs.
It seems to be an eczematous rash.
I need to ask you few questions:
Has your wife used any new cosmetics on the face?
Is she having history of excessive sun exposure for last few days?
Does she have any history of allergic rhinitis, excessive sneezing or asthma ?
Does she have a dry skin?
Has she developed a similar rash in the past apart from the one you mentioned?
Kindly revert with the answers.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Dr. Asmeet,
Thankyou for your reply.
My answers to your questions as follows:
- No. My wife’s cosmetics had been used before.
- No there has been no history of recent excessive sun exposure but instead much less sun exposure due to being indoors.
- Yes she does have history of allergic rhinitis and excessive sneezing at times. Her asthma was experienced at age 9 and has not recurred.
- She has relatively dry facial skin
- She has not had this type of rash before except as mentioned but had eczema when young but it looked different although it was also itchy.
I should point out this recent rash started within about ten minutes of cutting onions.
Thankyou,
Regards.
Thankyou for your reply.
My answers to your questions as follows:
- No. My wife’s cosmetics had been used before.
- No there has been no history of recent excessive sun exposure but instead much less sun exposure due to being indoors.
- Yes she does have history of allergic rhinitis and excessive sneezing at times. Her asthma was experienced at age 9 and has not recurred.
- She has relatively dry facial skin
- She has not had this type of rash before except as mentioned but had eczema when young but it looked different although it was also itchy.
I should point out this recent rash started within about ten minutes of cutting onions.
Thankyou,
Regards.
Brief Answer:
Irritant dermatitis and it’s management
Detailed Answer:
According to your complaints it seems to be irritant contact dermatitis to the onion she has cut.
She has a dry and sensitive skin with past history of eczema and asthma and individuals with this skin type are prone to reactions very commonly.
I would recommend you to apply topical steroid like mometasone furoate 0.1 percent cream or hydrocortisone cream on the affected area twice daily along with frequent and regular application of a moisturizing cream on the entire face 3-4 times in a day.
Also give her antihistaminic like tablet cetrizine 10 mg twice daily for 7-10 days.
Also use a soap free cleanser for washing face, avoid sun exposure, stay in cool airy environment , don’t use hot water on the face and keep the skin moisturised.
This measures will help in resolving her condition and preventing recurrence.
Irritant dermatitis and it’s management
Detailed Answer:
According to your complaints it seems to be irritant contact dermatitis to the onion she has cut.
She has a dry and sensitive skin with past history of eczema and asthma and individuals with this skin type are prone to reactions very commonly.
I would recommend you to apply topical steroid like mometasone furoate 0.1 percent cream or hydrocortisone cream on the affected area twice daily along with frequent and regular application of a moisturizing cream on the entire face 3-4 times in a day.
Also give her antihistaminic like tablet cetrizine 10 mg twice daily for 7-10 days.
Also use a soap free cleanser for washing face, avoid sun exposure, stay in cool airy environment , don’t use hot water on the face and keep the skin moisturised.
This measures will help in resolving her condition and preventing recurrence.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thanks Dr. Asmeet,
My wife has tried the steps above with hydrozole cream used. However, there is still itchiness of the skin.
She is getting some relief with the prickly heat powder but is this recommended as it is described as drying the skin?
Regards.
My wife has tried the steps above with hydrozole cream used. However, there is still itchiness of the skin.
She is getting some relief with the prickly heat powder but is this recommended as it is described as drying the skin?
Regards.
Brief Answer:
Most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Actually hydrozole cream contains cortisone which is a very mild steroid.
She requires a little potent steroid like mometasone furoate cream or beclomethasone cream for application.
She can use prickly heat powder for the relief of her symptoms.
She can apply a moisturizing cream on the skin followed by the application of powder.
This will somewhat reduce the amount of dryness caused by the powder.
Most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Actually hydrozole cream contains cortisone which is a very mild steroid.
She requires a little potent steroid like mometasone furoate cream or beclomethasone cream for application.
She can use prickly heat powder for the relief of her symptoms.
She can apply a moisturizing cream on the skin followed by the application of powder.
This will somewhat reduce the amount of dryness caused by the powder.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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