• April 26, 2024

Some popular treatments for acne Over-the-counter medications can cause severe irritation or even potentially lethal allergic reactions, he warned on Wednesday. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The products contain the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid and are applied in the skin . They are available as gels, creams, face soaps, solutions, cleansing wipes, toners and facial scrubs, according to the FDA.

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The products are marketed under brands such as Proactiv, Neutrogena, MaxClarity, Oxy, Ambi, Aveeno, and Clean & Clear, the agency said.

Avoid these allergies!

The severe allergic reactions caused by these products differ from the less harmful potential problems (such as dryness, itching, burning, skinning, redness, and light swelling) that are already mentioned on the product labels.

"There is currently no mention of the possibility of such very serious allergic reactions on the labels of the products," Dr. Mona Khurana, the agency's medical officer, said in a press release from the FDA. "It's important that consumers know about them, and that they know what to do if they happen."

To find out if a topical product for acne Over the counter contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, consumers can review the "active ingredients" section on the medication data label of the product package, the FDA advised.

Between 1969 and the end of January 2013, the FDA received 131 reports of severe allergic reactions to those types of acne products in people 11 to 78 years of age. About 42 percent of the reactions occurred within a period of minutes to 24 hours of use, the agency said.

In 40% of reported cases, patients experienced severe allergy symptoms such as narrowing of the throat, shortness of breath, wheezing, low blood pressure, fainting or collapse. Other symptoms include hives, itching on the face or body, and swelling of the eyes, face and lips.