Dr. Pistiner: Although oral ingestion is the most common and concerning form of exposure to an allergen, such as soy, skin contact is also of concern. Some studies have shown that short-term exposure to an allergen on the skin does not cause severe allergic reactions. However, these studies (the allergen looked at was peanut) did show that 40 per cent of allergic subjects had localized skin reactions.

Allergens contained in skin products and cosmetics have been reported to cause allergic reactions. Most commonly these reactions are limited to the skin but systemic reactions have been reported, especially in those with a compromised skin barrier (i.e. eczema).

I would advise that avoiding products with soy is your safest option but please discuss your specific case with your healthcare provider prior to changing food allergy management strategies.

Dr. Michael Pistiner is an allergist in Massachusetts and clinical instructor at Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School. His 7-year old son is allergic to tree nuts.

Dr. Skotnicki-Grant: Because the skin around the eye is the thinnest on the body, it’s easily irritated by toiletry products, cosmetics, ophthalmic medications, even the elements. If you have a genetic tendency towards eczema or dermatitis, you’ll also be more prone to developing irritation around the eye.

Don’t use creams meant for the hands or body on the face because they’re formulated differently, and might have concentrations not meant for the more delicate face and eye areas. Make sure you choose products that are fragrance-free and that list their ingredients, such as Marcelle, Almay and Clinique. Olay has a great eye cream for sensitive skin, too. Remember that many lines labelled “sensitive skin” or “hypoallergenic” might still have allergens or irritants in their formulations, so look for a complete list of ingredients.

If flaking and itching continue, see a dermatologist, because you may have developed allergic contact dermatitis (flaky, red, itchy skin resulting from a reaction to a chemical) to an ingredient. Only about 3.4 per cent of North Americans have allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance – so it’s more likely that you’re experiencing irritation to chemicals in your skincare and makeup products.

Common irritants include perfume, sunscreen and many botanicals. Remember, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it will work for you – poison ivy is natural!

Related:
• Preventing atopic eczema flare-ups
• Avoiding parabens in cosmetics
• What is eczema and what are the best treatments?

Find Dr. Skotnicki-Grant’s clinic at baydermatologycentre.com

First published in Allergic Living magazine.
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