Can You Be Allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide?

By now, you may already know about the potential negative effects of chemicals found in feminine hygiene products like pads or tampons. You may also know that organic cotton period pads are better for your health because they do not contain such hazardous materials.

However, managing your menstrual flow is just one aspect of hygiene. There may be potentially harmful chemicals hidden within other products, such as face cleansers, that you use every day. One of these ingredients is benzoyl peroxide. Though the FDA regards it as generally safe to use, it does have the potential to provoke severe allergic reactions in some people.

Read on to find out more about the risks of benzoyl peroxide and the benefits of organic skin care.

What Is Benzoyl Peroxide and What Does It Do?

Benzoyl peroxide is found in skin products intended to fight acne, including face washes and scrubs, cleansing pads, toners, gels, and lotions. It is a drying agent that helps to remove excess oil from the skin. It also has antibacterial properties. Bacteria and excess oil are both factors that can lead to breakouts of blemishes.

Over a period of nearly 45 years, from 1969 to 2013, the Food and Drug Administration received 131 reports of serious allergic reactions resulting from skin care products containing at least one of two active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. In 2014, on the basis of these reports, the FDA issued a warning informing the public of the risk of severe allergic reaction from these ingredients.

Per the FDA, 44% of the patients who experienced a severe allergic reaction required hospitalization. It should be noted, however, that no deaths were reported.

Are the Possible Allergic Reactions Different From the Potential Side Effects?

Products containing benzoyl peroxide list a number of potential side effects on their labels. These include burning, dryness, itching, redness, slight swelling, and peeling. However, the allergic reaction that can result from benzoyl peroxide involves different, much more severe symptoms that include the following:

• Fainting/Collapse
• Hives
• Swelling of the lips, eyes, or face
• Low blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Throat tightness
• Wheezing

These symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening.

Despite the FDA warning issued in 2014, products that contain benzoyl peroxide do not carry labels that warn specifically about the risks of severe allergic reaction or list the symptoms. The labels simply inform you to stop use and call a doctor if you experience severe irritation.

How Do You Find Out if You Are Allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide?

If you are concerned and want to know if an anti-acne skin care product contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, check the Drug Facts label on the packaging. If either is present, it will be listed under the active ingredients.

The FDA recommends that before using a product containing benzoyl peroxide before using it, test it first on a small area. Should any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur, seek medical attention immediately and stop using the product. If not, continue testing the product for three days before concluding that you are not allergic to it.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid allergic reactions from benzoyl peroxide is to avoid using products that contain it. Find out more about organic skin care, the best organic tampons, and other safe and effective organic feminine hygiene products.