Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common and effective acne treatments administered to people with different levels of acne infection. Although the medication has a number of positive attributes when used to treat acne, the side effects of benzoyl peroxide cannot be disregarded. First time users are more prone to being affected by the side effects. The medication should not be taken when you are on some other kind of medication that contain tretinoin. Pregnant women are not prescribed benzoyl peroxide. The medication has to be used as suggested by the doctor or described on the packaging. Overdosing in an expectation of quick results can result in severe skin irritation, besides other side effects. Also, if you are using the medication for the first time, perform a patch test on the inside of your arm or thigh and see if allergic reactions occur.
Dry skin
Dry skin is one of the most common side effects of benzoyl peroxide. This is caused because benzoyl peroxide sucks out sebum from the skin in order to reduce oiliness and thereby, reduce acne. In the process, skin ends up being very dry. One of the best remedies of preventing extreme dryness is to use a good oil-free moisturizer. Water based creams are good for people prone to acne. A good moisturizer soothes the dryness caused due to the use of benzoate peroxide and keeps the skin looking good. If the dryness does not reduce, you can consult your dermatologist, who will either prescribe a milder cream with lower percentage of benzoyl peroxide or cut down frequency of usage. As a precaution, do not use astringents and do not use harsh chemical skin care products. Prefer herbal products.
Burning
Burning is not as common as dryness caused due to the use of benzoyl peroxide. Only about 2% of users have registered experiencing this reaction. Usually, burning occurs if the cream contains high percentage of the chemical (10%) or if your skin is very sensitive or if you apply the cream and leave it on for too long. Mild burn marks reduce with time, although it does take a few weeks. Typically, it looks like a cigarette burn. In any case, you should contact your doctor because burning can also be an indication of an allergic reaction in which case, continuing use of the medication could lead to other allergic reactions as well. You might have to stop using all products containing benzoyl peroxide. To sooth burning, you can use a non-comedogenic moisturizer. This is a moisturizer that will not cause clogging of the pores.
Peeling and flaking
Peeling and flaking are as common as dryness and usually accompany excessive dryness caused due to the use of benzoyl peroxide. When the skin becomes excessively dry, it begins to peel out and flake. The remedy for peeling and flaking is same as that for dryness. Use a good water based moisturizer. Do not scrub your face in an attempt to get the flakes off the skin. Scrubbing activates the oil producing sebaceous glands in the skin and aggravates acne problem. Acne could also be aggravated when existing pimples and pustules burst open due to scrubbing. Since flaking and peeling is caused due to dryness, moisturizing is all you need to keep the flakes away. You should also make it a point to drink a lot of water in order to keep the skin hydrated from within and prevent peeling. In extreme cases, skin begins to crust and crack. If the problem becomes this severe, stop use of medication and consult the doctor.
Itching
Itching is common during the first few weeks of application of benzoyl peroxide. The itching occurs due to the reaction between the medication and the sebum in the skin. Mild irritation is common in most people. However, if itching becomes very severe and is accompanied by red angry rashes, you should stop using the medication and consult the doctor. For normal itching, a soothing moisturizer works. If it does not, you can apply ice pack on the affected region. This provides immense relief immediately. As your acne reduces, the irritation and itching also reduces. However, do not give in to the itching and scratch your face roughly. It might cause acne to burst open, aiding the infection to spread.
Redness
Redness is an offshoot of burning and dryness. Usually, the red spots itch. It is more common in first time users and the redness reduces after the first couple of weeks. Redness is more enhanced in people who have sensitive skin. So, people with sensitive skin should begin with using a very mild percentage of benzoyl peroxide. As your skin gets acclimatized to the medication, your doctor can gradually increase the dosage. In order to reduce redness, you can cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser that can clean out the deposited sebum in the skin and reduce the reaction between sebum and benzoyl peroxide. Moisturizing is mandatory. You can be assured that the redness is temporary and will not cause scarring.
Swelling
Swelling is less common and a clear indication of an allergic reaction. If swelling is excess, you should discontinue usage of the cream immediately and consult a doctor. Continuing treatment despite swelling can lead to more severe side effects such as dizziness and nausea. Your skin might also end up with permanent damage. Any mild swelling should reduce when you stop using the cream. Swelling is more serious when it is not accompanied by itching red spots and itching. As a remedy, apply oil free moisturizer every night after washing your face with a deep cleansing lotion. Use a medicated soap if your skin is sensitive to face wash lotions. If swelling does not reduce within one or two days, a visit to your dermatologist should not be ignored. The doctor can prescribe a topical lotion which can reduce swelling.
Feeling of warmth
Some people report feeling of warmth on the affected region on application of benzoyl peroxide. In most cases, this is not a cause of worry because it only indicates that the medication is working on the skin. The feeling of warmth might be one of the first side effects which can be followed by itching, redness, dryness and peeling. These are common side effects and application of an oil free soothing moisturizer takes care of them. Usually, these symptoms reduce within a week or two. You might continue to feel slight warmth at the time of application all through the treatment period. However, as long as the gush of warmth is not accompanied by swelling, itching and other symptoms for more than one or two weeks, it indicates that all is well with your skin. If these symptoms persist or if you feel that they are aggravating with time, stop the medication and consult your doctor.
Tenderness of the skin
Tenderness of the skin is often not one of the first symptoms of using benzoyl peroxide. In fact, it is a side effect of the side effects caused due to the medication. The skin feels tender due to the swelling, itching, redness and rashes. The skin feels sore to touch. It usually does not indicate an allergic reaction. The all pervasive remedy of the other side effects of benzoyl peroxide, which is using a water based moisturizer, works for this side effect as well. If you experience tenderness, stop the use of any other chemical cosmetics that you might be using. Tenderness indicates sensitivity in the skin which is caused due to the side effects of benzoyl peroxide. Use natural products or medicated soap for cleansing your face. A very important precaution to be taken is to prevent direct exposure of tender skin to the sun. The skin is more susceptible to damage by the sun when it is tender.
Severe allergic reactions
In some cases, people experience severe allergic reactions to benzoyl peroxide. Besides reactions such as swelling at the affected area, other severe reactions include angry rashes, crusting and cracking of the skin and hives. In more severe cases, a person experiences dizziness, nausea and vomiting, swelling in the whole face, tongue, lips and mouth and difficulty in breathing. Tightness in the chest following the use of benzoyl peroxide has also been reported. If you experience any of these symptoms, rush to the doctor immediately since they can prove fatal if left unattended. Counter-medication is required in such cases along with completely stopping the use of benzoyl peroxide even in the mildest form. Sometimes, severe allergic reactions happen if the medication is used excessively. Benzoyl peroxide is effective but time taking. So, you should have patience and let it work at its pace. Trying to speed up the process can cause a lot of undesirable problems.