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The target is called Propionibacterium and it is often considered to play an important role in triggering acne , whenever skin pores get clogged with excessive sebum and dead skin cells. The hunter is the famous benzoyl peroxide, an active ingredient contained by many acne treatments, known to have a more aggressive approach on skin conditions especially because it attacks this particular bacterium.
While in many circumstances the treatment wins the battle, there are situations when one might discover that he or she is allergic to benzoyl peroxide. What is there to be done?
What is benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is a synthetic ingredient that makes a perfect choice for drugs designed to treat mild or moderate acne affections. This organic compound was chosen as one of the essential medicines that the WHO – World Health Organization – has selected, and which can only show its utility. For acne, a content set somewhere between 5% and 10% of active peroxide is usually very efficient.
What benzoyl peroxide does?
While it is known to work on multiple types of acne breakouts, it most often attacks Propionibacterium, helping to clear the pores and eliminate the wounded or dead skin layers while cleaning excessive oil, by peeling.
Side effects
Some people react very well on it and actually find a relief with such a treatment, while others can encounter certain problems. When those problems are minor, they are called side effects. And when it comes to benzoyl peroxide, its most common side effects are mild peeling, irritation, feeling of warmth, itching, redness and skin swelling.
It is important to know that in some situations these can occur simply because you are using too much of it and you should lower the dose and then gradually increase it.
Allergic reactions
However not everyone is lucky enough to get rid of acne with benzoyl peroxide. On the contrary, some people happen to have severe allergic reactions that manifest through chest pressure and breathing problems, dizziness, extreme dryness, rashes, swelling of tongue, lips, mouth or entire face and hives.
Things you need to know
First of all, side effects can fade away in time, especially if you hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer, while allergic reactions will never stop, unless you stop the treatment.
Second, allergies to this particular ingredient are a very rare thing, natural side effects being often mistaken as allergic reactions.
In addition to these, benzoyl peroxide allergies can start manifesting all of a sudden, even after years of using such products without problems.
What can you do?
If symptoms aggravate, you sure need to stop using the benzoyl peroxide treatment. Do your best to keep the skin properly hydrated for a while, without adding other potential harmful substances on a skin that is already severely damaged. And you can either go see a doctor that should help you with both getting rid of the nasty symptoms much easier and finding a new treatment, or you can simply try an over the counter acne treatment. Salicylic acid is yet another popular ingredient that acts pretty much in the same way.
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