I have had a rash on my face for 2.5 years. I have red ‘dry’ spots. At first it was only around my eyes, but more spots appeared: on my cheek, on the front of my ear and finally a spot above my mouth. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me an ointment for eczema. This helped for the first few days but then it just came back. As the weeks, months went on, I only became more insecure, even if I put makeup on it, you could still see it through the red dry patches.
Two months ago I was completely fed up and went to the dermatologist in the hospital. I have done an allergy test (paste test). During these weeks I got cutivate ointment and I put this on my spots. On the days I used this ointment, the spots went away.
The allergy test showed that I am allergic to Lyral/Cofanol or hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde. I have avoided all products that contain this substance, bought everything perfume-free, but unfortunately it can’t help. As soon as I stop or reduce the cutivate ointment, it gradually comes back. I wonder if it is perfume allergy? I don’t know what to do anymore?
patty
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Dick van Gerwen, dermatologist:
Perfume allergy is the most common form of contact allergy today. The problem with perfume is that it can hardly be avoided in today’s society. Perfume is used in many products. Not only in perfume, but in all skin care products, cleaning products, toilet spray, aftershave and there are even fragrances for the home or in the store, you name it. As a result, perfume is often difficult to avoid 100 percent.
The moment you smell a perfume scent, the perfume is already on your skin. So even if you sit next to someone with a strong perfume smell or walk into a store with perfume smell. Even your husband’s aftershave can cause problems.
If it is not possible to reduce the hormone ointment, it can possibly be replaced by tacrolimus ointment or pimecrolimus cream. These do not contain corticosteroid hormone and do counteract eczema formation. This can limit the use of the hormones.
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