Medical expert of the article
New publications
Allergies on the face: what causes and how to treat?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Allergic reactions, no matter what form they take, always bring with them a lot of unpleasant sensations, and if the allergy is on the face, then bitterness and annoyance are added to the unpleasant physical sensations, especially when the face belongs to a woman. Swelling, which gives the face an unattractive puffiness, itching, rash and red spots, lead to the development of internal irritation and mental discomfort.
What causes allergies on the face?
The genetic code of each person contains all the diseases to which he is prone throughout his entire life. Facial allergies are hereditary, and if a person has not had allergic manifestations since childhood, this does not mean that he will not suffer from them in the future. It will be very useful for each person to be interested in his hereditary predisposition and take all safety measures in advance to avoid encountering possible health complications.
So, we have determined one reason why, in particular, allergies on the face develop, it is a burdened allergological anamnesis. Other reasons include weakened immunity, and metabolic disorders, thyroid problems and dietary errors, with an imbalance towards carbohydrate foods, products with a high content of preservatives and artificial colors. To this day, the issue of the root causes of allergies has not been fully studied. Every year, new allergens appear that have a complex structure. The use of products with genetically modified components in the food industry leads to a number of small mutations in the structures of the human body, and it is capable of inadequately reacting to any substances.
The most frequent interaction of facial skin occurs with various cosmetics, which include complex chemical elements, fragrances, heavy metal oxides, ethyl alcohol. With such daily "care" of facial skin, there is a constant, concentrated "pumping" of skin cells with elements foreign to it. In pursuit of beauty and youth of the skin, its natural balance is disturbed. The more aggressive the cosmetic product for the face, the "younger" the skin becomes. In the end, such intervention results in the fact that an allergy on the face does not take long to appear.
How does an allergy manifest itself on the face?
Allergy on the face can occur in the form of minor signs of dermatitis, with peeling, slight redness of the skin and slight swelling, with the main localization around the eyes. This is a mild allergy on the face. But in those cases when the swelling covers not only the eye area, but also the nasolabial triangle, nasal breathing is difficult due to swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx - you need to sound the alarm without wasting time on self-medication. Such severe swelling is dangerous because it will quickly spread to the larynx, leading to its spasm and complete cessation of breathing. This character is characteristic of one of the dangerous forms of allergic reactions - Quincke's edema.
How to treat facial allergies?
To be absolutely sure that all the unpleasant symptoms on the face are a manifestation of an allergic reaction of the body to some allergen, you need to undergo an examination by an allergist. In case of a positive result of allergological tests, proceed to consistent treatment.
A detailed set of treatment procedures will be prescribed by an allergist, but it can be assumed that an allergy on the face will require local and complex, general treatment, as well as adherence to a strict diet, excluding the possibility of consuming products with a high allergy coefficient and a complete rejection of cosmetics.
For local relief of symptoms of such a condition, allergy on the face, it is necessary to wash daily with water with decoctions of chamomile, celandine and succession. The use of decoctions is possible only in cases where there is no allergy to these herbs. If you are not sure of this, then before using decoctions, do an independent allergy test. Run a cotton swab soaked in the decoction along the back of the forearm, next to the hand. Observe for 20 minutes. In case of such signs as: allergy on the face, redness, burning and itching, rash, the use of a decoction for washing is definitely contraindicated.
After washing, it is appropriate to apply ointments or creams based on corticosteroids, take an antihistamine tablet. During treatment, it is worth completely abandoning all cosmetics, using only special hypoallergenic creams to keep the skin moisturized. You can use low-fat kefir to moisturize the skin of the face, and to add freshness, wipe the face with a swab soaked in weak tea leaves.
In cases where facial allergies are accompanied by severe swelling, treatment must be carried out strictly under the supervision of a physician.