Daniel Wolfram
Are you going to Halloween events with your children where they are dressing up? Here are some tips on how to avoid skin reactions.
Halloween is not just a time for scary movies and delicious candy. It is also a great holiday for kids and families.
However, Halloween can quickly turn into a real-life horror show if the wrong costume or face paint gets put on the kids.
Rashes, intense itching, unusual dryness, and small blisters often signal trouble. Stripping off the outfit and thoroughly washing away body paint will stop further exposure.
Spotting the warning signs in your kids
According to Dr. Justine Fenner, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, conditions like contact urticaria, or hives, flare up almost instantly.
Other conditions take far longer to show themselves. Irritant contact dermatitis might take hours or days to appear, while allergic contact dermatitis can stay hidden for up to three days.
Simple water cleanses often help, but some rashes may require antihistamines or topical corticosteroids prescribed by a doctor.
“Face paint and makeup may contain preservatives such as methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, dyes, or fragrances that can be irritating to the skin. Be sure to test the face paint or makeup on a small area of your child’s skin, such as a spot on the inner wrist, for at least a week prior to full application on Halloween, to make sure your child does not develop a reaction,” says Dr. Fenner.
Beware of costumes
Glamorous costume props also bring hidden danger. Fake eyelashes require strong adhesives, while acrylic nails often contain formaldehyde, latex, and cyanoacrylates. Over time, applying these heavy chemicals can damage natural lashes and fingernails.
Cheap costume jewelry also poses a threat as it can contain nickel, which is one of the most common causes of kids getting allergic reactions.
While these reactions are non-contagious and usually not dangerous, they will cause your child to have itching, dryness, and rashes.
“When choosing a costume for your child, 100 percent cotton fabric is recommended. Other materials, such as wool and polyester, may be irritating to the skin. Irritation is especially likely if your child has a history of sensitive skin or eczema,” advises Dr. Fenner.
