I am allergic to one cream. I don't understand which component in it is causing the allergic reaction. What tests do you need to pass to find out?

Dear Alla! Currently, a “patch test” is used to diagnose allergies to various chemicals that are part of cosmetics, hygiene products, jewelry. The allergist applies special plasters to the back skin, each of which contains 10-12 chemical compounds (depending on the purpose of the examination), then the patient walks with them for two days, after which the doctor assesses the skin reaction to a particular substance after 48, 72 and 96 hours. After the test, recommendations are made to avoid contact with certain chemical compounds that can cause a corresponding skin reaction (edema, itching, redness, hives). This study is not performed at the INVITRO Laboratory.

Alas, there are no tests that would determine allergies to chemicals, especially in cosmetics. A cosmetic cream contains many ingredients. The list usually includes those whose content is large. Very small components are allowed to be excluded. The first on the list is water, it is most present in almost any cosmetics. Further, the ingredients go in decreasing order, that is, the lower in the list, the more volume is present. The last are usually preservatives - parabens. They can cause allergies. But there may be several of them, those that end in -paraben.

Moreover, all this chemical mishmash included in the cream also interacts with each other, forming unpredictable chemical reactions already in the cream itself. For example, many of these compounds can form toxic cancer-causing nitrosamines.

You have only one way - the "typing method". Change the cream. But at the same time, be sure to write down the composition of the cream that is allergenic for you. Buy another. And remember the composition of the new cream. If the allergy with the use of another cream does not appear, then compare the composition and highlight which of the ingredients in the new cream is missing compared to the first cream.

You don't need to apply new cream to your face. It is enough to apply the cream on the skin at the bend of the elbow or on the wrist and not rinse for 3 days. Allergies will or may not appear. You can ask your friends and acquaintances to use their creams. All you need is a drop of cream. But be sure to write down the composition of other creams for comparison.

This method may seem banal and funny, but believe me, this is the only way to protect yourself from cosmetics that are toxic to you.

Allergy tests. I would do this if I were you: I would read the composition of the cream, and then, with a tube in my pocket, I would go to the allergist-immunologist and show him this cream. Based on this, an intelligent doctor will be able to decide for which substances to take these samples from you.